THE BLESSED HOPE

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SABBATH SCHOOL LESSON

SENIOR DIVISION, No. 259,, FIRST QUARTER, 1960

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414_,

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THE BLESSING OF DAILY STUDY

"The beauty and riches of the word have a transforming influence on mind

and character."—Christ's

Object Lessons,

page 132.

"There is nothing more calculated to strengthen the intellect than the -study

of the Scriptures. No other book is so potent to elevate the thoughts, to give

vigor to the faculties, as the broad, ennobling truths of the Bible. If God's

word were studied as it should be, men would have a breadth of mind, a

nobility of character, and a stability of purpose rarely seen in these times."—

Steps to Christ,

page 9o.

The more you search the Scriptures with humble hearts, the greater will be

your interest. . . . Every day you should learn something new from the Scrip-

tures."—Testimonies,vol.

5, p. 266

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As one who greatly desires to improve his knowledge of the Scriptures, I

pledge myself to the careful and prayerful study of some portion of my Sab-

bath school lesson each day of the week.

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LESSON TITLES FOR THE QUARTER

The Plan of Redemption

Old Testament Glimpses of the

Coming Redeemer

Christ's Witness to the Certainty

of His return

The Return of Jesus and the Judg-

ment in the Parables

The Apostles' Conviction Regard-

ing the Return of Jesus

Signs on Earth

Signs in the Heavens

Other Last-Day Signs

Signs in the Spiritual World

1o. The Manner of His Coming

Preparation for Christ's Coming

12.

The Object of His Coming

13.

The Finished Plan

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Sabbath School Lesson Quarterly

THE BLESSED HOPE

Lesson 1, for January 2, 1960

The Plan of Redemption

MEMORY VERSE: "And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and be-

tween thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise

his heel." Gen. 3:15.

STUDY HELPS: "Patriarchs and Prophets," pages 52-62; "The Seventh-day Adventist

Bible Commentary," on lesson scriptures; Lesson Help in "Review and Herald"

of December 17, 1959.

DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD

Check Here

Sabbath afternoon: General survey.

❑

Sunday: Introduction; questions 1-3.

❑

Monday: Questions 4-6.

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❑

Tuesday: Questions 7-9.

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❑

Check Here

Wednesday: Questions 10-12.



❑

Thursday: Read Study Helps.



❑

Friday: Review entire lesson.

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❑

Lesson Outline:

Introduction

I. The Plan Revealed

Laid "from the foundation of the

world." 1 Peter 1:20.

Put into effect because of man's

transgression. Gen. 3 :9, 10.

To be executed by the Redeemer.

Gen. 3:15.

II. The Plan's Ultimate Triumph Foretold

Complete restoration prophesied.

Micah 4:8; Acts 3:20, 21.

Fulfillment based on the declaration

of God Himself. Rev. 21:5.

6. Inheritance promised to the right-

eous. Eph. 3:6.

III. The Plan Vindicates the Character

of God

Abraham assured of God's justice.

Gen. 18:25.

God's character will be vindicated.

Rev. 15:2, 3 ; 19:1, 2, first part.

9. God's justice will be acknowledged

by all creatures. Rom. 14:11.

IV. The Plan Consummated

10. The return of Jesus. Titus 2:13.

11. Joy of the saved. Isa. 25:9.

12. New heavens and a new earth.

Rev. 21:1-4; 22:3.

THE LESSON

emergency that was unlooked for. The entry

of sin into the earth made necessary, accord-

ing to God's plan, the coming and sacrificial

death of Christ in order to vindicate God's

character and His law. Sin did not bring

failure to God's plan, merely an interruption.

Introduction

Since God gave the angels freedom of will

and choice as later He gave to man, He

foresaw the possibility of sin. Therefore the

entry of sin into the universe was not an

His plan will finally triumph, and sin will be

eternally eradicated from the earth and the

universe.

The Plan Revealed

When was God's plan of redemp-

tion first laid? 1 Peter 1:20.

NOTE.—"How kind was God ! Divine

justice required that sin should meet its pen-.'

alty, but divine mercy had already' found a

way to redeem the fallen human race—by

the voluntary sacrifice of the Son of God

(1 Peter 1:20; Eph. 3:11; 2 Tim. 1:9; Rev.

13:8)."—The Seventh-day Adventist Bible

Commentary,

on Gen. 3 :15.

"Inasmuch as the decision that Christ

would die for the guilty race was reached

before this world was created, and confirmed

at the time man fell (see PP 63, 64), He may

in that sense be regarded as though slain

from the foundation of the world."

—Ibid.,

on Rev. 13:8.

What act of Adam and Eve after

they had sinned indicated a change in

relationship between God and man?

Gen. 3:9, 10.

Here we witness for the first time the confu-

sion between sin and punishment, which is

characteristic of man in his fallen state. The

results of sin are sensed and detested more

than the sin itself."—The

Seventh-day Ad-

ventist Bible Commentary,

on Gen. 3:9.

What promise to fallen man was

implied in God's curse upon the ser-

pent? Gen. 3:15.

NorE.—"Here the Lord turns from ad-

dressing the literal serpent who spoke to Eve,

to pronounce judgment on the old serpent

the devil. This judgment, expressed in pro-

phetic language, has ever been understood by

the Christian church as a prediction of the

coming of the Deliverer. . . .

"This pronouncement must have brought

great comfort to the two dismayed offenders

standing before God, from whose precepts

they had departed. Adam, viceroy of God on

earth so long as he remained loyal, had, by

transferring his loyalty from God to the ser-

pent, ceded his authority to Satan.. .. Never-

theless, before hearing his own sentence pro-

nounced, the healing balm of hope was

applied to his shattered soul."—The

Seventh-

day Adventist Bible Commentary,

on Gen.

3:15.

Nort.—"Adam, in his innocence, had en-

joyed open communion with his Maker; but

sin brought separation between God and

man, and the atonement of Christ alone

could span the abyss and make possible the

communication of blessing or salvation from

heaven to earth. Man was still cut off from

direct approach to his Creator, but God

would communicate with him through

Christ and

angels."—Patriarchs and Proph-

ets,

page 67.

"Adam, who had always welcomed the di-

vine approach, was now in hiding. He could

not, however, be hidden from God, who

called to Adam, not as if ignorant of his hid-

ing place but to bring him to confession.

Adam sought to hide the sin behind its con-

sequences, his disobedience behind his sense

of shame, by proposing to God that he had

hidden himself through embarrassment at

his nakedness. His consciousness of the ef-

fects of sin was keener, than of the sin itself.

The Plan's Ultimate Triumph

Foretold

4. What promise made to Judah of

old will meet its ultimate fulfillment

in connection with the second coming

of Christ? Micah 4:8; Acts 3:20, 21.

Nora.—"All that was lost by the first

Adam will be restored by the second. The

prophet says, '0 Tower of the flock, the

stronghold of the daughter of Zion, unto

Thee shall it come, even the first dominion.'

And Paul points forward to the 'redemption

of the purchased possession.'

"God created the earth to be the abode of

holy, happy beings. That purpose will be

fulfilled when, renewed by the power of God

and freed from sin and sorrow, it shall be-

come the eternal home of the redeemed."-

The Adventist Home,

page 540.

Not metals or ribbons, but the marks of Christ's

crucilxion, are the eternal memorial of the plan

of redemption.

What does God declare concern-

ing the ultimate success of His plan?

Rev. 21:5.

What promise did God give that

indicates the triumph of the grand

plan? Eph. 3:6.

The Plan Vindicates the

Character of God

Of what was Abraham assured in

God's dealings with sinful men?

Gen. 18:25.

upon the intelligences of other worlds, as well

as upon man—the Saviour looked forward

when just before His crucifixion He said:

`Now is the judgment of this world; now

shall the prince of this world be cast out.

And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will

draw all men unto Me.' John 12:31, 32. The

act of Christ in dying for the salvation of

man would not only make heaven accessible

to men, but before all the universe it would

justify God and His Son in their dealing with

the rebellion of Satan. It would establish the

perpetuity of the law of God and would re-

veal the nature and the results of sin."—

Patriarchs and Prophets,

pages 68, 69.

How complete will be the vindi-

cation of God's character? Rom. 14:11.

Compare Phil. 2:10; Isa. 45:23.

Nora.—"Satan sees that his voluntary re-

bellion has unfitted him for heaven. He has

trained his powers to war against God; the

purity, peace, and harmony of heaven would

be to him supreme torture. His accusations

against the mercy and justice of God are now

silenced. The reproach which he has en-

deavored to cast upon Jehovah rests wholly

upon himself. And now Satan bows down

and confesses the justice of his sentence."—

The Great Controversy,

page 670.

The Plan Consummated

10.

What is the "blessed hope" of

the Christian? Titus 2:13.

8. What great principle of God's

kingdom will also be vindicated? Rev.

15:2, 3; 19:1, 2, first part.

NoTE.—"But the plan of redemption had

a yet broader and deeper purpose than the

salvation of man. It was not for this alone

that Christ came to the earth; it was not

merely that the inhabitants of this little

world might regard the law of God as it

should be regarded; but it was to vindicate

the character of God before the universe. To

this result of His great sacrifice—its influence

NOTE.—"The hope of Christ's return has

been the grand incentive of the Christian

faith for nearly 2,000 years, buoying the be-

liever's spirit and steeling his courage amid

all the vicissitudes of life. The dark moments

of discouragement, disillusionment, or sor-

row in this life's experience are gloriously

compensated for by the Christian's hope in

the second advent."—The

Seventh-day Ad-

ventist Bible Commentary,

on Titus 2:13.

11. How will Christ be received by

those who have been waiting for His

coming? Isa. 25:9.

12. When the plan of redemption

has at length been consummated, what

condition will prevail throughout

the entire universe? Rev. 21:1-4; 22:3.

NoTE.-"One reminder alone remains:

Our Redeemer will ever bear the marks of

His crucifixion. Upon His wounded head,

upon His side, His hands and feet, are the

only traces of the cruel work that sin has

wrought. Says the prophet, beholding Christ

in His glory: 'He had bright beams coming

out of. His side: and there was the hiding of

His power.' Hab. 3:4, margin. That pierced

side whence flowed the crimson stream that

reconciled man to God-there is the Sav-

iour's glory, there 'the hiding of His power.'

`Mighty to save,' through the sacrifice of re-

demption, He was therefore strong to execute

justice upon them that despised God's mercy.

And the tokens of His humiliation are His

highest honor; through the eternal ages the

wounds of Calvary will show forth His

praise and declare His power."-The

Great

Controversy,

page 674.

Lesson 2, for January 9, 1960

Old Testament Glimpses of the Coming Redeemer

MEMORY VERSE:

"For I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand at

the latter day upon the earth." Job 19:25.

STUDY HELPS:

"Patriarchs and Prophets," pages 63-70; "The Seventh-day Adventist

Bible Commentary," on lesson scriptures; Lesson Help in "Review and Herald"

of December 24, 1959.

DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD

Check Here

Sabbath afternoon: General survey.

❑

Wednesday: Questions 9-13.

Sunday: Introduction; questions 1-3.

❑

Thursday: Read Study Helps.

Monday: Questions 4-6.

❑

Friday: Review entire lesson.

❑

Tuesday: Questions 7, 8; read from

Study Helps.

❑

Lesson Outline:

Introduction

1. Early Promises of Redemption

The coming Deliverer. Gen. 3:15.

The prophecy of Enoch. Jude 14.

The revelation

Abraham. Gen.

12:3; 22:8-18.

The affirmation of Job.

Job

19:25, 27, first part.

H. The Psalms and the Major Prophets

The psalmist's picture. Ps. 50:3-5.

The Redeemer in Isaiah's prophecies.

Isa. 59:20.

The coming King in Jeremiah.

Jer. 23:5, 6.

The coming kingdom in Daniel. Dan.

2:34, 35,44, 45; 7:26, 27; 12:1-4.

111. The Testimony of the Minor Prophets

The warning 'of Joel. Joel 2:1.

10.

The coming Ruler in Micah.

Micah 5:2.

11.

The admonitions of Zephaniah.

Zeph. 1:14-18; 2:1-3.

12.

The return of the Lord in Haggai.

Haggai 2:6, 7; Heb. 12:26, 27.

13.

The close of history in Malachi.

Mal. 4:1-3.

THE LESSON

Introduction

In this lesson we look down the vista of

the Old Testament and see how patriarch

and psalmist, major and minor prophet, have

written of the triumph of good and the com-

ing of the Messiah. Here we have the evi-

dence that God has left no generation with-

out His assurance of the possibility of every

man's sharing in the restoration of all things.

But this sharing is to come, we are told, only

to those who are obedient to His precepts and

who keep their faith in the ultimate triumph

of God.

Early Promises of Redemption

What prophecy of conflict and

defeat did the Lord speak to the ser-

pent immediately after man's sin?

Gen. 3:15.

NOTE.—"The words . . . addressed to the

serpent applied directly to Satan himself,

pointing forward to his ultimate defeat and

destruction."—Patriarchs

and Prophets,

page

58.

"The Lord Jesus Christ is styled by pre-

eminence 'the seed' (Rev. 12:1-5 ; cf. Gal.

3:16, 19) ; it was He who came 'to destroy

the works of the devil' (Heb. 2:14; 1 John

3:8)."—The Seventh-day Adventist Bible

Commentary,

on Gen. 3:15.

What brief but graphic proph-

ecy of the return of Jesus was spoken

by Enoch? Jude 14.

NOTE.—Whether Jude quoted from a

then-existing noncanonical book known as

1 Enoch (see

The Seventh-day Adventist

Bible Commentary

on this verse) or not, is

unimportant. He was led to write these

words under inspiration. There veracity is

vouched for by this comment on Enoch:

"By the spirit of prophecy He carried him

down through the generations that should

live after the Flood, and showed him the

great events connected with the second com-

ing of Christ and the end of the world. . . .

"In the land where Cain had sought to flee

from the divine Presence, the prophet of God

made known the wonderful scenes that had

passed before his vision. 'Behold,' he de-

clared, 'the Lord cometh with ten thousands

of His saints, to execute judgment upon all,

and to convince all that are ungodly among

them of all their ungodly deeds.' Jude 14, 15."

—Patriarchs and Prophets,

pages 85, 86.

In what two ways did God re-

veal to Abraham the coming of a great

Redeemer? Gen. 12:3; 22:8-18.

NOTE.—God promised a numerous prog-

eny, and revealed through the typical lamb

a coming Redeemer.

"Through type and promise God 'preached

before the gospel unto Abraham.' Gal. 3:8.

And the patriarch's faith was fixed upon the

Redeemer to come. Said Christ to the Jews,

`Your father Abraham rejoiced that he

should see My day; and he saw it, and was

glad.' John 8:56, R.V., margin. The ram of-

fered in the place of Isaac represented the

Son of God, who was to be sacrificed in our

stead."—Patriarchs and Prophets,

page 154.

What great affirmation of faith

in his resurrection to meet God, was

made by Job? Job 19:25, 27, first part.

NoTE.—"The latter day.

The meaning is

that however long Job was to suffer, how-

ever protracted his calamities were, he had

the utmost confidence that God would even-

tually vindicate him. The wording of vs. 25

and 26 indicates that the divine vindication

would take place when God would 'stand

. . . upon the earth' and when Job would

'see God.' This is an unmistakable glimpse

of the resurrection."—The

Seventh-day Ad-

ventist Bible Commentary,

on Job 19:25.

The Psalms and the Major

Prophets

What vivid picture of the judg-

ment of the world is given by the

psalmist? Ps. 50:3-5.

The ancient prophets looked for the glorious day

when the Sun of Righteousness, the Messiah, would .

lighten the earth.

NOTE.—"The King of kings descends

upon the cloud, wrapped in flaming fire.

The heavens are rolled together as a scroll,

the earth trembles before Him, and every

mountain and island is moved out of its

place."—The Great Controversy,

pages 641,

642.

What did Isaiah write about the

return of the Redeemer? Isa. 59:20.

NOTE.—"The

Redeemer shall come.

This

prophecy will be fulfilled at the second com-

ing of Christ. The Lord will then return to

save His people—those who have turned

from their transgressions and have accepted

Him as their Saviour."—The

Seventh-day

Adventist Bible Commentary,

on Isa. 59:20.

Isaiah has many references to the Messiah.

Isaiah 42:1-4 (see next paragraph) is

reference to the work of Christ on earth, and

was so used in Matthew 12:18-21.

"It was further prophesied of the Messiah:

'He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till He

have set judgment in the earth: and the isles

shall wait for His law.' The Son of God was

to 'magnify the law, and make it honor-

able.'

"—Prophets and Kings,

page 693.

What names does Jeremiah apply

to Jesus in speaking of His coming to

redeem His people? Jer. 23:5, 6.

Nair.—"A

King shall reign.

Or, 'He shall

reign as King,' referring to the 'Bianch,'

Christ, who will rule with 'judgment and

justice' the kingdom of the redeemed (see

Isa. 9:6,7; Dan. 7:13, 14; Rev. 11:15) ."—

The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commen-

tary,

on Jer. 23:5.

The expressions "the Branch of David"

and "the Lord our Righteousness" are used

of Christ at His triumphal entry into Jeru-

salem. See

The Desire of Ages,

page 578.

What are some of the prophecies

of Daniel foretelling the return of

Jesus? Dan. 2:34, 35, 44, 45; 7:26, 27;

12:1-4.

The Testimony of the Minor

Prophets

In what impressive language does

Joel voice his warning of the coming

day of the Lord? Joel 2:1.

NOTE.—Many of the prophetic warnings

of imminent temporal calamities had a wider

application to the infinitely greater calamity

of the final day of reckoning. Joel has many

such warnings.

"In view of that great day the word of

God, in the most solemn and impressive lan-

guage, calls upon His people to arouse from

their spiritual lethargy and to seek His face

with repentance and humiliation. . . .

"To prepare a people to stand in the day

of God, a great work of reform was to be

accomplished. God saw that many of His

professed people were not building for eter-

nity, and in His mercy He was about to send

a message of warning to arouse them from

their stupor and lead them to make ready

for the coming of the Lord."—The

Great

Controversy,

page 311.

10.

How does Micah prophesy of

the birth of the coming great Ruler?

Micah 5:2.

NorE.—"For us the great interest of the

prophet Micah centers round its clear proph-

ecies of the Saviour who was to come. It

[81

was from this book that 'all the chief priests

and scribes of the people,' gathered together

by Herod, proclaimed unhesitatingly that it

was at Bethlehem of Judah that the Christ,

the King, should be born. This prophecy

proclaims His eternity. He who was to go

forth from Bethlehem as the Ruler, was He

whose goings forth were 'from the days of

eternity.' Micah 5:3 is closely connected with

Isaiah 7:14."—Hodgkin,

Christ in All the

Scriptures,

page 211. See also

Prophets and

Kings,

page 697.

11. What admonitions of Zepha-

niah are mingled with warnings of

judgment upon an impenitent world?

Zeph. 1:14-18; 2:1-3.

Paul,

Hebrews 12:26, 27, applies it defi-

nitely to the second advent. It has been ap-

plied to the events of Revelation 16:17, 18.

"In that great coming day, the heaven it-

self shall depart 'as a scroll when it is rolled

together.' Rev. 6:14. And every mountain

and island shall be moved out of its place.

`The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunk-

ard, and shall be removed like a cottage; and

the transgression thereof shall be heavy upon

_..it;

and it shall fall, and not rise again.' Isa.

24:20."—Patriarchs and Prophets,

page 340.

13. How will the two great classes

of humanity be dealt with at the close

of this earth's history? Mal. 4:1-3.

NoTE.—"During the reign of Josiah the

word of the Lord came to Zephaniah, speci-

fying plainly the results of continued apos-

tasy, and calling the attention of the true

church to the glorious prospect beyond. His

prophecies of impending judgment upon

Judah apply with equal force to the judg-

ments that are to fall upon an impenitent

world at the time of the second advent of

Christ."—Prophets and Kings,

pages 389,

390.

12. What does Haggai say of the

fate of the nations at the time of the

return of our Lord? Haggai 2:6, 7.

Compare Heb. 12:26, 27.

NoTE.—This prophecy originally applied

to the temple as restored after the Babylo=

nian exile, and to the first advent of Christ.

NOTE

.—"Burn

them up. . . .

The wicked

do not keep on burning endlessly; the fires of

the last day will literally 'burn them up.' .. .

"Neither root nor branch.

A striking figure

indicating the utter annihilation of sin and

sinners. . . . Satan, represented as the 'root,'

or originator, of evil, and his followers, re-

presented as the branches, are all completely

destroyed (see Ps. 37:30).

"The Sun of Righteousness.

An expres-

sive figure of Christ as the 'Light of

the world' (John 8:12; see John 1:4) and

the Source of our righteousness (see Jer.

23:6; 1 Cor. 1:30; 2 Cor. 5:21; Phil. 3:9).

Christ is ever ready to bring spiritual light to

His people in times of need. In this sense it

may be said that the 'Sun of Righteousness'

arose at the first advent of Christ (see DA

261), and will 'arise' in a special way in the

time of great moral darkness just preceding

His second advent (see PK 716,

717)."—The

Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary,

on Mal. 4:2.

Lesson 3, for January 16, 1960

Christ's Witness to the Certainty of His Return

MEMORY VERSE:

"Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an

- hour when ye think not." Luke 12:40.

STUDY HELPS:

"The Desire of Ages," pages 662-664, and chapter 69; "The Seventh-

day Adventist Bible Commentary," on lesson scriptures; Lesson Help in "Re-

view and Herald" of December 31, 1959.

[ 9 ]

DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD

Check Here

Sabbath afternoon: Introduction;

general survey.



❑

Sunday: Questions 1, 2; begin read-

ing from Study Helps.

Monday: Questions 3-6.

Tuesday: Questions 7-10.

Check Here

Wednesday: Questions 11, 12; read

from Study Helps.

Thursday: Finish reading Study

Helps.

Friday: Review entire lesson.

Introduction

As surely as Jesus is the Son of God,

born of a virgin, so surely He is going to

return in glory and majesty to this earth.

In this lesson our attention is turned to some

of the plain, emphatic, and unequivocal

promises that Jesus Himself gave to His dis-

ciples and others during His life on earth.

If we disbelieve in the return of Jesus, it is

impossible to believe in Him, for His promise

was, "I

will come again."

Lesson Outline:

Introduction

I. A Great Event

Jesus' own assurance. John 14:1-3.

The promise of the angels. Acts

1:9-11.

II. A Great Prophecy

A triumphant return. Matt. 23:39.

Harbingers of the end. Matt. 24:3;

Mark 13:1-4.

The uncertainty of the hour. Matt.

24:44.

The certainty of the event. Matt.

26:64.

III. A Great Responsibility

Being ashamed of Jesus. Luke 9:26.

Watching for the Lord. Luke

12:35-40.

Leaving the world behind. Luke

17:26-30.

10.

Expecting reward or penalty.

Matt. 16:27.

IV. A Great Home-Coming

11.

All shall hear His voice. John

5:28, 29.

12.

Christ comes for His own. 1 Thess.

4:16, 17.

THE LESSON

NoTE.-"The promise of Christ's second

coming was ever to be kept fresh in the

minds of His disciples. The same Jesus whom

they had seen ascending into heaven, would

come again, to take to Himself those who

here below give themselves to His service.

The same voice that had said to them, `Lo, I

am with you alway, even unto the end,'

would bid them welcome to His presence in

the heavenly kingdom."-The

Acts of the

Apostles,

page 33.

A Great Event

What clear, definite promise did

Jesus make to the disciples and to all

of His followers? John 14:1-3.

Who later repeated the promise

of our Saviour to the disciples, and

under what circumstances? Acts 1:9-11.

A Great Prophecy

As He wept over Jerusalem, how

did Jesus refer to His triumphant re-

turn to this earth? Matt. 23:39.

NoTE.-"The triumphal ride of Christ

into Jerusalem was the dim foreshadowing

-of His coming in the clouds of heaven with

power and glory, amid the triumph of angels

[ 10 ]

to retort d •ly

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•f a

and death, crime and immorality, pleasure-loving

above godliness--all point toward the second advent.

and the rejoicing of the saints. Then will be

fulfilled the words of Christ to the priests

and Pharisees: 'Ye shall not see Me hence-

forth, till ye shall say, Blessed is He that

cometh in the name of the Lord.' Matt.

23:39. In prophetic vision Zechariah was

shown that day of final triumph; and he be-

held also the doom of those who at the first

advent had rejected Christ: 'They shall look

upon Me whom they have pierced, and they

shall mourn for Him, as one mourneth for

his only son, and shall be in bitterness for

Him, as one that is in bitterness for his first-

born.' Zech. 12:10. This scene Christ fore-

saw when He beheld the city and wept over

it. In the temporal ruin of Jerusalem He saw

the final destruction of that people who were

guilty of the blood of the Son of God."—

The Desire of Ages,

page 580.

4. What question did the disciples

ask Jesus? Matt. 24:3; Mark 13:1-4.

NOTE.—"With the overthrow of Jerusalem

the disciples associated the events of Christ's

personal coming in temporal glory to take

the throne of universal empire, to punish the

impenitent Jews, and to break from off the

nation the Roman yoke. The Lord had told

them that He would come the second time.

Hence at the mention of judgments upon Je-

rusalem, their minds reverted to that com-

ing; and as they were gathered about the

Saviour upon the Mount of Olives, they

asked: 'When shall these things be? and

what shall be the sign of Thy coming, and

of the end of the world?' Matt. 24:3.

"The future was mercifully veiled from

the disciples. Had they at that time fully

comprehended the two awful facts—the Re-

deemer's sufferings and death, and the de-

struction of their city and temple—they

would have been overwhelmed with horror.

Christ presented before them an outline of

the prominent events to take place before the

close of time. His words were not then fully

understood; but their meaning was to be un-

folded as His people should need the instruc-

tion therein given. The prophecy which He

uttered was twofold in its meaning; while

foreshadowing the destruction of Jerusalem,

it prefigured also the terrors of the last great

day."—The Great Controversy,

page 25.

What did Jesus say concerning

the exact time of His coming? Matt.

24:44.

When standing trial for His life,

what positive statement did Jesus make

about His return in glory? Matt.

26:64.

A Great Responsibility

While He was stating the prin-

ciples of His kingdom, what reference

did Jesus make to His triumphant re-

turn? Luke 9:26.

What did Jesus say should be the

constant attitude of all His followers

toward His return? Luke 12:35-40.

When questioned about the time

of the coming of the kingdom, how

did Jesus refer to His personal return?

Luke 17:26-30.

NorE.—"When great and wise men had

proved to their satisfaction that it was im-

possible for the world to be destroyed by

water, when the fears of the people were

quieted, when all regarded Noah's prophecy

as a delusion, and looked upon him as a fa-

natic—then it was that God's time had come.

`The fountains of the great deep' were

`broken up, and the windows of heaven were

opened,' and the scoffers were overwhelmed

in the waters of the Flood. With all their

boasted philosophy, men found too late that

their wisdom was foolishness, that the Law-

giver is greater than the laws of nature, and

that Omnipotence is at no loss for means to

accomplish His purposes. 'As it was in the

days of Noah,' even thus shall it be in the

day when the Son of man is revealed.' Luke

17:26, 30. 'The day of the Lord will come as

a thief in the night; in the which the heavens

shall pass way with a great noise, and the

elements shall melt with fervent heat, the

earth also, and the works that are therein

shall be burned up.' 2 Peter 3:10. When the

reasoning of philosophy has banished the

fear of God's judgments; when religious

teachers are pointing forward to long ages of

peace and prosperity, and the world are ab-

sorbed in their rounds of business and pleas-

ure, planting and building, feasting and

merrymaking, rejecting God's warnings and

mocking His messengers—then it is that sud-

den destruction cometh upon them, and they

shall not

escape."—Patriarchs and Prophets,

pages 103, 104.

In these days of ever-increasing knowl-

edge, let us beware lest we put our faith in

the works of man instead of the word of

God.

10.

In connection with what im-

pending event will the awards of good

or evil be rendered? Matt. 16:27.

A Great Home-Coming

11.

How did Jesus speak of this

same event in relation to the resurrec-

tion? John 5:28, 29.

NorE.—"Those who in the judgment are

`accounted worthy' will have a part in the

resurrection of the just. Jesus said: 'They

which shall be accounted worthy to obtain

that world, and the resurrection from the

dead, . . . are equal unto the angels; and

are the children of God, being the children of

the resurrection.' Luke 20:35, 36. And again

He declares that 'they that have done good'

shall come forth 'unto the resurrection of

life.' John 5:29. The righteous dead will not

be raised until after the judgment at which

they are accounted worthy of 'the resurrec-

tion of life.' Hence they will not be present in

person at the tribunal when their records are

examined and their cases decided."—The

Great Controversy,

page 482.

12.

How does Paul list the sequence

of events at the time of the resurrec-

tion? 1 Thess. 4:16, 17.

NorE.—"The apostle Paul, speaking by

the Spirit of Inspiration, testified: 'The Lord

Himself

shall descend from heaven with a

shout, with the voice of the Archangel, and

with the trump of God.' 1 Thess. 4:16. Says

the prophet of Patmos: 'Behold, He cometh

with clouds; and every eye shall see Him.'

Rev. 1:7.

"About His coming cluster the glories of

that 'restitution of all things, which God

hath spoken by the mouth of all His holy

prophets since the world began.' Acts 3:21.

Then the long-continued rule of evil shall be

broken ; 'the kingdoms of this world' will be-

come 'the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His

Christ; and He shall reign forever and ever.'

Rev. 11:15. 'The glory of the Lord shall be

revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.'

'The Lord God will cause righteousness and

praise to spring forth before all the nations'

He shall be 'for a crown of glory, and for a

diadem of beauty, unto the residue of His

people.' Isa. 40:5 ; 61:11;

28:5."—The Great

Controversy,

page 301.

SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSONS IN BRAILLE

The senior Sabbath-school lessons, slightly condensed, are

published each quarter in Braille, and they are •supplied free

to the blind upon request. Address: The Christian Record Benevo-

lent Association, Box 66, Lincoln 6, Nebraska.

[ 12 ]

Lesson 4, for January 23, 1960

The Return of Jesus and the Judgment in the Parables

MEMORY VERSE: "And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto

you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren,

ye have done it unto Me." Matt. 25:40.

STUDY HELPS: "Christ's Object Lessons," pages 70-75, 405-421 (1923 ed., pp.

69-73, 415-431); "The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary," on lesson

scriptures; Lesson Help in "Review and Herald" of January 7.

DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD

Check Here

Sabbath afternoon: General survey.

❑

Sunday: Introduction; questions 1-3.

❑

Monday: Questions 4, 5; read from

Study Helps.



❑

Tuesday: Questions 6-8; read from

Study Helps.



❑

Check Here

Wednesday: Questions 9, 10; read

from Study Helps.



❑

Thursday: Questions 11, 12; finish

reading from Study Helps.

Friday: Review entire lesson.



❑

Lesson Outline:

Introduction

I. The Tares and the Net

The harvest, the end of the world.

Matt. 13:38-42.

Christ, the Judge. Matt. 13:28-30.

End of the world, the time of judg-

ment. Matt. 13:47-49.

II. The Parable of the Talents

Accounting for the talents.

Matt. 25:14-19.

Reward of the faithful stewards.

Matt. 25:21.

III. The Parable of the Ten Virgins

Will be fulfilled at second coming.

Matt. 25:1-13.

Privilege of those who are ready.

Matt. 25:4, 10.

We know not the hour. Matt. 25:13.

IV. The Fig Tree and the Traveling

Householder

It is near. Matt. 24:32-35.

10.

"I say unto all, Watch." Mark

13:34-37.

V. The Sheep and Goats

11.

He will come in His glory. Matt.

25:31.

12.

The basis of decisions. Matt.

25:42-46.

THE LESSON

coming and you would rob all of the parables

referred to in this lesson of their point.

The Tares and the Net

What

allusion to the second com-

ing do we find in the parable of the

tares? Matt. 13:38-42.

[13

Introduction

The triumphant return of Jesus is such

an integral part of the gospel that we find it,

and the events connected with it, woven into

many of the parables Jesus told. In a num-

ber of them the return of Jesus is the climac-

tic event which furnishes the point of the

narrative. Remove the doctrine of the second

Judging character and human motives must be

left to a just and merciful God.

According to this parable, what

work will Christ perform at the time

of the judgment? Matt. 13:28-30.

NoTE.—"Christ has plainly taught that

those who persist in open sin must be sepa-

rated from the church, but He has not com-

mitted to us the work of judging character

and motive. He knows our nature too well

to entrust this work to us. Should we try to

uproot from the church those whom we sup-

pose to be spurious Christians, we should be

sure to make mistakes. Often we regard as

hopeless subjects the very ones whom Christ

is drawing to Himself. Were we to deal with

these souls according to our imperfect judg-

ment, it would perhaps extinguish their last

hope. Many who think themselves Chris-

tians will at last be found wanting. Many

will be in heaven who their neighbors sup-

posed would never enter there. Man judges

from appearance, but God judges the heart.

The tares and the wheat are to grow to-

gether until the harvest; and the harvest is

the end of probationary

time."—Christ's

Object Lessons,

pages 71, 72.

In the parable of the net and

fishes, what great truth is set forth?

Matt. 13:47-49.

The Parable of the Talents

How did Jesus emphasize the

truth of the coming time of judgment

and our accountability to Him when

He comes? Matt. 25:14-19.

NoTE.—"Christ on the Mount of Olives

had spoken to His disciples of His second

advent to the world. He had specified certain

signs that were to show when His coming

was near, and had bidden His disciples watch

and be ready. Again He repeated the warn-

ing, 'Watch therefore; for ye know neither

the day nor the hour wherein the Son of

man cometh.' Then He showed what it means

to watch for His coming. The time is to be

spent, not in idle waiting, but in diligent

working. This lesson He taught in the par-

able of the talents."—Christ's

Object Les-

sons,

page 325.

"The talents, however few, are to be put

to use. The question that most concerns us

is not, How much have I received ? but,

What am I doing with that which I have?

The development of all our powers is the

first duty we owe to God and to our fellow

men. No one who is not growing daily in

capability and usefulness is fulfilling the pur-

pose of life. In making a profession of faith

in Christ we pledge ourselves to become all

that it is possible for us to be as workers for

the Master, and we should cultivate every

faculty to the highest degree of perfection,

that we may do the greatest amount of good

of which we are capable."—Ibid., pp. 329,

330.

What reward will the faithful

steward receive? Matt. 25:21.

The Parable of the Ten Virgins

When and how will the parable

of the ten virgins be fulfilled? Matt.

25:1-13.

What will be the privilege

those who are ready when Jesus

comes? Matt. 25:4, 10.

[ 14 ]

How did Jesus use this parable

to emphasize our need for continual

preparedness? Matt. 25:13.

NoTE.—"The two classes of watchers

represent the two classes who profess to be

waiting for their Lord. They are called vir-

gins because they profess a pure faith. By

the lamps is represented the word of God.

The psalmist says, 'Thy word is a lamp unto

my feet, and a light unto my path.' Ps.

119:105. The oil is a symbol of the Holy

Spirit. Thus the Spirit is represented in the

prophecy of Zechariah; 'The angel that

talked with me came again,' he says, 'and

waked me, as a man that is wakened out of

his sleep, and said unto me, What seest thou?

And I said, I have looked, and behold a

candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the

top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and

seven pipes to the seven lamps, which are

upon the top thereof ; and two olive trees

by it, one upon the right side of the bowl,

and the other upon the left side thereof. So

I answered and spake to the angel that talked

with me, saying, What are these, my lord?

. . . Then he answered and spake unto me,

saying, This is the word of the Lord unto

Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by

power, but by My Spirit, saith the Lord of

hosts. . . . And I answered again, and said

unto him, What be these two olive branches

which through the two golden pipes empty

the golden oil out of themselves? . . . Then

said he, These are the two anointed ones, that

stand by the Lord of the whole earth.' Zech.

1-14."—Christ's Object Lessons,

pages 406-

408.

The Fig Tree and the Traveling

Householder

What great lesson is taught by

the parable of the fig tree? Matt. 24:

32-35.

NozE.—"One saying of the Saviour must

not be made to destroy another. Though no

man knoweth the

day

nor the

hour

of His

coming, we are instructed and required to

know when it is near. We are further

taught that to disregard His warning, and

refuse or neglect to know when His advent

is near, will be as fatal for us as it was for

those who lived in the days of Noah not to

know when the Flood was coming."—The

Great Controversy,

page 371.

10.

How, in a very brief parable,

did Jesus emphasize the necessity of

watching and preparing for His re-

turn? Mark 13:34-37.

The Sheep and Goats

11.

What glory will attend the

second coming of Christ? Matt. 25:31.

12.

On what basis will decisions be

made in the coming judgment? Matt.

25:42-46.

Note.—"The good works performed by

those who are to be welcomed to the king-

dom were done to Christ in the person of His

suffering people. Those who had done these

good works did not see that they had done

anything for Christ. They had done no

more than their duty to suffering human-

ity. Those on the left hand could not see that

they had abused Christ in neglecting the

wants of His people. But they had neglected

to do for Jesus in the person of His saints,

and for this neglect they were to go away

into everlasting punishment. And one defi-

nite point of their neglect is thus stated: 'I

was a stranger, and ye took Me not in.'

"—

Testimonies, vol. 1,

pp. 679, 680.

"When we reflect the character of Jesus

perfectly we will feel as He does toward those

in need, and through us He will be able to

solace and succor others. The best evidence

of love for God is love that leads us to bear

`one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law

of Christ' (Gal. 6:2). . . . The best evi-

dence that a person has become a son of God

is that he does the works of

God."—The

Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary,

on Matt. 25:40.

( 15 ]

Lesson 5, for January 30, 1960

The Apostles' Conviction Regarding the Return of Jesus

MEMORY VERSE: "The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast

off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light." Rom. 13:12.

STUDY HELPS: "The Great Controversy," chapter 17; "The Seventh-day Adventist

Bible Commentary," on lesson scriptu res; Lesson Help in "Review and Herald"

of January 14.

DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD

Check Here

Sabbath afternoon: Introduction;

general survey.



❑

Sunday: Questions 1, 2; begin read-

ing from Study Helps.

Monday: Questions 3-6.

Tuesday: Questions 7-9.

Check Here

Wednesday: Questions 10-12; read

further from Study Helps.



Thursday: Finish reading Study

Helps.

Friday: Review entire lesson.

Lesson Outline:

Introduction

I. Based Upon Divine Revelation

Promised by the angels. Acts 1:11.

Testified to by "all His holy proph-

ets." Acts 3:19-21.

II. Forcefully Set Forth by the Apostle

Paul

The day is at hand. Rom. 13:11, 12.

God amply provides for the period

of waiting. 1 Cor. 1:7.

The Lord's Supper points to Christ's

coming. 1 Cor. 11:25, 26.

In Christ all shall be made alive.

1 Cor. 15:22, 23.

III. Clearly Confirmed by Other

Apostles

The church has to wait in patience.

James 5:7, 8.

Conviction based on eyewitness ac-

count. 2 Peter 1:16.

Peter pictures the end of all things.

2 Peter 3:10.

IV. Declared by John

10.

Abiding in Him means the right

preparation. 1 John 2:28.

11.

We shall see Him and be like Him.

1 John 3:1, 2.

12.

Christ pledges His own word. Rev.

22:20.

THE LESSON

revealed to them speaks eloquently of their

faith in and longing for the return of Him

whom they loved and worshiped.

Introduction

Sustaining the apostles in the early days

of the church was the sure hope of the re-

turn of Him who had commissioned them.

Again and again we find them referring to

the return of Jesus. While they did not

understand the length of time to elapse be-

fore He came, they were told of many

events that must take place before that

blessed event. Their record of what- was

Based Upon Divine Revelation

1. What promise did the angels

make to the disciples at the ascension

of Jesus? Acts 1:11.

1161

Which event was, according to

Peter's words, a major theme of the

prophets of old? Acts 3:19-21.

NOTE.,—"The dominant theme of the NT

writers is the return of Christ. . . . The

disciples had witnessed Christ's ascension

(ch. 1:9, 10), and they realized He must

remain in heaven until His second advent.

Jesus had told His disciples that it was

necessary for Him to leave them (John 14:

1-6), but even they did not understand until

they saw Him ascend, and learned that

they must look for His return."—The

Sev-

enth-day Adventist Bible Commentary,

Acts 3:20, 21.

Forcefully Set Forth by the

Apostle Paul

What figure of speech did Paul

use in referring to the time just prior

to our Lord's return? Rom. 13:11, 12.

In view of the imminent return

of Christ, what will the church be do-

ing? 1 Cor. 1:7.

What sacred ordinance foreshad-

ows Christ's return? 1 Cor. 11:25, 26.

When, according to Paul, will

the resurrection of the righteous dead

occur? 1 Cor. 15:22, 23.

Clearly Confirmed by Other

Apostles

What attitude does James rec-

ommend to the waiting church in view

of the nearness of Christ's return?

James 5:7, 8.

To every bereaved believer the second advent

is the "blessed hope" of glad reunion.

NOTE.—"Look up, look up, and let your

faith continually increase. Let this faith

guide you along the narrow path that leads

through the gates of the city into the great

beyond, the wide, unbounded future of

glory that is for the redeemed."—Prophets

and Kings,

page 732.

Upon what did Peter base his

faith in the surety of the return of

Jesus? 2 Peter 1:16.

In his great prophecy, what

powerful picture did Peter paint of

the end of all things? 2 Peter 3:10.

Declared by John

10.

What admonition does the

apostle John give to the followers of

Jesus as they look forward to His com-

ing? 1 John 2:28.

NoTE.—" Abide in Him.

That is, in Christ.

This is direct counsel to take the action rec-

ommended in v. 27, in view of the an-

ticipated return of Jesus. . . . Only those

who abide in Christ will be prepared to

[ 17 ]

meet Him at His coming (cf. Matt. 24:13;

John 15:6). . . .

"The picture is of one who, having consist-

ently abided in Christ, has no fear of meet-

ing Him at His coming."—TIze

Seventh-day

Adventist Bible Commentary,

on 1 John

2:28.

11.

What is promised to the faith-

ful believer preparing for Christ's re-

turn? 1 John 3:1, 2.

NOTE.—"Like Him.

This points to the

fulfillment of God's plan for fallen man—

restoration to the divine image. Man was

made in the image of God, . . . but sin

ruined that likeness. It is God's design to

restore that similitude by giving to man

victory over sin and over every tempta-

tion. . . . The restoration will be completed

at the second advent (1 Cor. 15:51-53;

Phil. 3:20,

21)."—The Seventh-day Advent-

ist Bible Commentary,

on 1 John 3:2.

12.

With what pledge does Jesus,

through John the revelator, emphasize

the dominant theme of the New Testa-

ment? Rev. 22:20.

NOTE.—"The

coming of the Lord has been

in all ages the hope of His true followers.

The Saviour's parting promise upon Olivet,

that He would come again, lighted up the

future for His disciples, filling their hearts

with joy and hope that sorrow could not

quench nor trials dim. Amid suffering and

persecution, the 'appearing of the great

God and-our Saviour Jesus Christ' was the

`blessed hope.' When the Thessalonian

Christians were filled with grief as they

buried their loved ones, who had hoped to

live to witness the coming of the Lord,

Paul, their teacher, pointed them to the

resurrection, to take place at the Saviour's

advent. Then the dead in Christ should

rise, and together with the living be caught

up to meet the Lord in the air. 'And so,'

he said, 'shall we ever be with the Lord.

Wherefore comfort one another with these

words.' 1 Thess. 4:16-18.

"On rocky Patmos the beloved disciple

hears the promise, 'Surely I come quickly,'

and his longing response voices the prayer

of the church in all her pilgrimage, 'Even

so, come, Lord Jesus.' Rev.

22:20."—The

Great Controversy,

page 302.

We with the disciple John may look for-

ward with confidence to the day when we

shall see our blessed Lord face to face.

Lesson 6, for February 6, 1960

Signs on Earth

MEMORY VERSE:

"For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against king-

dom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers

places." Matt. 24:7.

STUDY HELPS:

"Patriarchs and Prophets," chapter 7; "The Great Controversy," chap-

ter 36; "The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary," on lesson scriptures;

Lesson Help in "Review and Herald" of January 21.

DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD

Check Here

Sabbath afternoon: General survey.

Sunday: Introduction; questions 1-4. 0

Monday: Questions 5-7; begin read-

ing Study Helps.



Tuesday: Questions 8-10; read fur-

ther from Study Helps.



❑

Check Here

Wednesday: Questions 11-13; read

further from Study Helps.

Thursday: Finish reading Study

Helps.



❑

Friday: Review entire lesson.



❑

Lesson Outline:

Introduction

I. A World in Apprehension

Earthquake under the sixth seal.

Rev. 6:12, first part.

Universal fear. Luke 21:25, second

part, verse 26.

Moral depravity. Matt. 24:37-39.

God's warnings. Matt. 24:14.

II. A World of Discord

Angry nations. Rev. 11:18; Ps. 2:1.

Class antagonism. James 5:1-6.

7. Family discord. 2 Tim. 3:2, last

part, verse 3, first part.

III. A World in Spiritual Poverty

8. A faithless world. Luke 18:8.

9. A world of scoffers. 2 Peter 3:3, 4.

10. A world intolerant of truth. 2 Tim.

4:3, 4.

IV. A Church Waiting for Her Lord

11.

Aware that His coming is near.

Matt. 24:33.

12. Preparing for the day of God. 2

Peter 3:11, 12.

13. Purified by the blessed hope.

John

3:3.

THE LESSON

Introduction

In the mercy of God, every possible ap-

proach has been made to arouse men's

minds to the imminence of the return of

Jesus. When Jesus answered the disciples'

question about the signs of the destruction

of Jerusalem and the end of the world, He

gave signs that pertained to both events, as

may be seen in Matthew 24:4-6, 8. We

should be careful not to apply all the signs

to the second advent. There are clear signs

given of the end of all things, such as physi-

cal calamities, moral depravity, selfishness

and fear in men's hearts, universal knowl-

edge of the gospel.

A World in Apprehension

1. What divine intervention in the

prophecy of the sixth seal was a warn-

ing of the time of the end? Rev. 6:12,

first part.

NOTE.

-"The

events of the sixth seal

reveal the disjointing of the physical uni-

verse. The prophet Joel had already used

the figure of an earthquake to describe the

upheaval of nature in the day of the Lord

(Joel 2:10; cf. Isa. 13:9-11; Amos 8:9)."-

The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Com-

mentary,

on Rev. 6:12.

"The great earthquake of [November 1,1

1755, extended over a trace of at least four

millions of square miles. . . . It pervaded

the greater portions of the continents of

Europe, Africa, and America; but its ex-

treme violence was exercised on the south-

western part of the former." "In Africa,

this earthquake was felt almost as severely

as it had been in Europe. .. . It is probable

. that all Africa was shaken. .. . At the

north, it extended to Norway and Sweden;

Germany, Holland, France, Great Britain,

and Ireland were all more or less agitated

by the same great and terrible commotion

of the elements."-Robert Sears,

Wonders

of the World,

pages 50, 58.

What would multiplied signs of

coming judgment produce in men's

hearts? Luke 21:25, second part, verse

26.

Non.-"Distress" comes from

Greek

word used in the New Testament only here

and in 2 Corinthians 2:4, meaning

anguish.

The Revised Standard Version has "distress

of nations in perplexity." Robertson says

that "in perplexity" is the "state of one

. .. who has lost his way"-W

ord Pictures,

vol. 2, p. 260.

What events in human conduct

would be further signs of imminent

disaster? Matt. 24:37-39.

[19

]

By our dress, our topics of convi

iiltion, our work;,

and our religion, do we show our faith in

Christ's soon coming?

NOTE.—"The same sins exist in our day

which brought the wrath of God upon the

world in the days of Noah. Men and

women now carry their eating and drinking

to gluttony and drunkenness. This prevail-

ing sin, the indulgence of perverted appe-

tite, inflamed the passions of men in the

days of Noah and led to general corruption,

until their violence and crimes reached to

heaven, and God washed the earth of its

moral pollution by a

flood."—Testimonies,

vol.

3, p. 163.

To what extent is the gospel to

be preached before the Lord Jesus

comes in final judgment? Matt. 24:14.

NOTE.—"This prophecy will again be ful-

filled. The abounding iniquity of that day

finds its counterpart in this generation. So

with the prediction in regard to the preach-

ing of the gospel. Before the fall of Jeru-

salem, Paul, writing by the Holy Spirit,

declared that the gospel was preached to

`every creature which is under heaven.'

Col. 1:23. So now, before the coming of

the Son of man, the everlasting gospel is

to be preached 'to every nation, and kin-

dred, and tongue, and people.' Rev. 14:6,

14."—The Desire of Ages,

page 633.

A World of Discord

What leads to the outpouring of

God's wrath? Rev. 11:18. Compare

Ps. 2:1.

NoTE.—"Nations were angry. . . .

Such

will be the condition of the nations prior

to the coming of Christ. They will band to-

gether to oppose the work and people of

Christ... .

"Wrath.

The wrath of God is summed

up in the seven last plagues (ch. 15:1).

The work of opposition against Christ is

brought to a halt by these plagues."—The

Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary,

on Rev. 11:18.

What picture of antagonism be-

tween rich and poor in the last days

is given by the apostle James? James

5:1-6.

NoTE.—Oppression of the poor and self-

ishness among the rich have existed in every

age. The psalmist fretted enviously at "the

prosperity of the wicked." Ps. 73:2, 3. In

the disciples' days some rich persons "de-

spised the poor," oppressed them and haled

them "before the judgment seats." James

2:6. These conditions will exist until "the

coming of the Lord." "Coming" is from

the Greek word

parousia,

signifying the

personal coming of Christ. He alone can

solve the world's mounting problems of

inequity, oppression, selfishness, hatred.

In Paul's description of the law-

lessness of the last days, what is said

of family relationships? 2 Tim. 3:2,

last part, verse 3, first part.

NOTE .—Personal selfishness, communal

and family disloyalty, religious formality,

are seen in these verses. The world is not

progressing toward universal conversion to

Christ. "Evil men" are getting "worse

and worse."

Speaking of people represented by the

foolish virgins, Ellen G. White says, in

Christ's Object Lessons,

page 411: "They

do not know God. . . . The apostle Paul

points out that this will be the special

characteristic of those who live just before

Christ's second coming."

"With the increasing activity of the

prince of evil (cf. Rev. 7:1; 12:12), it is

to be expected that the agelong course of

[ 20

evil will reach a climax of intensity in 'the

last days.'

"—The Seventh-day Adventist

Bible Commentary,

on 2 Tim. 3:1.

A World in Spiritual Poverty

How did Jesus connect His com-

ing with a lack of faith on the earth?

Luke 18:8.

NoTE.—Jesus had been teaching that God

would "avenge His own elect" (verses 7,

8), and now connects His second coming

with that event. These two events are con-

nected in Matthew 16:27, in Revelation 22:

12, and elsewhere.

"This doctrine [that all the world will

be converted] . . . does not harmonize with

the teachings of Christ and His apostles.

Jesus asked the significant question, 'When

the Son of man cometh, shall He find faith

on the earth?' And, as we have seen, he

declares that the state of the world will be

as in the days of

Noah."—Patriarchs and

Prophets,

page 103.

What will scoffers in the last

days say about the coming of Christ?

2 Peter 3:3, 4.

NoTE.—This scoffing occurs whenever the

second coming is preached. It was the at-

titude of many in the early days of the

advent message. See

The Great Contro-

versy,

page 370. It will be increasingly so

as the end approaches.

"He [Peter] is not here making specific

statements regarding the time of Christ's

coming, but is bent on preparing his flock

for 'the last days' whenever those days may

appear."—The

Seventh-day Adventist Bible

Commentary,

on 2 Peter 3:3.

"The attention of the people should be

called to the momentous event which is

so near at hand. The signs of the times

should be kept fresh before their minds... .

When these things are dwelt upon as they

should be, scoffers will be developed who

walk after their own

lusts."—Testimonies,

vol. 5,

pp. 9, 10.

10.

What did Paul predict regard-

ing intolerance to sound doctrine at

some future time? 2 Tim. 4:3, 4.

NoTE.—"The apostle was undoubtedly

thinking of the great apostasy that was

soon to develop in the church, and which

would continue to imperil it until the second

advent of Christ."—The

Seventh-day Ad-

ventist Bible Commentary,

on 2 Tim. 4:3.

"The ministers of Christ today are in the

same danger. Satan is constantly at work

to divert the mind into wrong channels,

so that the truth may lose its force upon the

heart."—Gospel Workers,

page 312.

A Church Waiting for Her Lord

11.

In what way did Jesus say that

the believer may be able to tell when

the end is near? Matt. 24:33.

NoTE.—This chapter contains warnings

of Jerusalem's destruction, as well as of

the end of the world. The Lord would

have us differentiate between these signs,

as the language of Matthew 24:27-33 in-

dicates.. We are to "see all these things,"

"know that it is near," and be ready for

our Lord to come. Matt. 24:42.

"Jesus declares: 'There shall be signs in

the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars;

and upon the earth distress of nations.'

Luke 21:25. . . . Those who behold these

. harbingers of His coming are to 'know

that it is near, even at the doors' Matt.

24:33. 'Watch ye therefore,' are His words

of admonition. Mark 13:35. They that

heed the warning shall not be left in dark-

ness, that that day should overtake them

unawares. But to them that will not watch,

'the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief

in the night.' 1 Thess.

5:2-5."—The Great

Controversy,

pages 37, 38.

12.

What is the relation between

Christian conduct and the knowledge

that the coming of the day of God is

near? 2 Peter 3:11, 12.

NoTE.—"Many . . . professed Christians

dress, talk, and act like the world, and the

only thing by which they may be known,

is their profession. Though they profess

to be looking for Christ, their conversation

is not in heaven, but on worldly things.

'What manner of persons' ought those to

[21]

be 'in all holy conversation and godliness.' "

-Early Writings,

page 108.

13. What will the blessed hope do

for a man? 1 John 3:3.

NoTE.-"Purifieth, . . .

`To cleanse from

defilement,' to purify.' The word is ap-

plied to both ceremonial and moral cleans-

ing (John 11:55; Acts 21:24, 26; 24:18;

James 4:8; 1 Peter 1:22). Sinful man can-

not cleanse himself ; he is sold under sin

and utterly dependent upon the Saviour for

purity (Jer. 17:9; John 3:3; 1.5:4, 5; Rom.

8:7). Nevertheless, there is some work

that man, with divine aid, must do for him-

self. . . . This work demands diligent

watching and prayer (Eph. 6:13-18,; Col.

4:2; Rev.

3:3)."-The Seventh-day A4

ventist Bible Commentary,

on 1 John 3:3.

Lesson 7, for February 13, 1960

Signs in the Heavens

MEMORY VERSE:

"Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted

worthy to escape ail these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before

the Son of man." Luke 21:36.

STUDY HELPS:

"Testimonies to Ministers," pages 236-238; "The Great Controversy,"

pages 304-316 (1950 subscription ed., pp. 297-309); "The Seventh-day Advent-

ist Bible Commentary," on lesson scriptures; Lesson Help in "Review and Her-

ald" of January 28.

DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD

Check Here

Sabbath afternoon: Introduction;

Tuesday: Questions 10-13.

general survey.

❑

Wednesday: Read from Study Helps.

Sunday: Questions 1-6.

❑

Thursc14: Read Study Helps.

Monday: Questions 7-9; read from

Friday: Review entire lesson.

Study Helps.

❑

III.

Prophecy and the Witness of

History

Joel



7. First sign

in the sun.

Matt. 24:29,

first part.

8. Sign in the moon. Mark 13:24.

Joel



9. Sign in the stars. Luke 21:25, first

part; Matt. 24:29.

IV.

The Church and the Signs in

the Heavens

10.

"Lift up your heads." Luke 21:28.

11.

"Know that it is nigh." Mark 13:29.

12.

"Take heed to yourselves." Luke

21:34.

13.

"Watch therefore." Matt. 24:42.

[ 22]

Lesson Outline:

Introduction

I. Old Testament Prophecies

Heavenly bodies darkened.

3:15.

Gloomy sunrise. Isa. 13:10.

Wonders in the heavens.

2:30, 31.

II. New Testament Predictions

Powers of heaven to be shaken.

Luke 21:25, 26.

Sun darkened under the sixth seal.

Rev. 6:12, last part.

Stars disturbed under sixth seal.

Rev. 6:13.

THE LESSON

no period of darkness of equal density, ex-

tent, and duration, has ever been recorded.

The description of this event, as given by

eyewitnesses, is but an echo of the words of

the Lord, recorded by the prophet Joel,

twenty-five hundred years previous to their

fulfillment."—The

Great Controversy,

page

308.

Introduction

God does not act in judgment without

giving men due warning. When He chose

to use the heavenly bodies as signs of the

approaching end, He knew that such signs

could not be wholly ignored. Today we

have the prophecies of the prophets of both

Old and New Testaments, as well as the

words of Jesus, reinforced by the fact that

some of the celestial signs are now proved

by the events of history.

Old Testament Prophecies

What did the prophecy of Joel

indicate about the nature of certain

heavenly signs that will accompany

the day of the Lord? Joel 3:15.

Nom.—Read Joel 3:13-15 and observe

that "decision" time in the day of the Lord

is referred to. Many warning signs have

occurred, and now God is about to arise as

judge to decide the eternal destiny of the

nations. See verses 11-13 on God's appeal

prior to His final decisions. Man makes

his own decision for or against God, and

on that hangs God's final decision in judg-

ment.

What did Isaiah say about un-

usual behaviour of the heavenly lu-

minaries? Isa. 13:10.

Nom.—"A supernatural darkness in

which the luminaries of heaven withhold

their light is often mentioned as one of the

phenomena accompanying the great and ter-

rible `day of the Lord' (Joel 2:10, 11; 3:15,

16; Amos 8:9; see also Matt. 24:29; Mark

13:24, 75; Luke 21:25; Rev. 6:12, 13; GC

636, 637). See EW

41."—The Seventh-day

Adventist Bible Commentary,

on Isa. 13:10.

In what way did Joel speak of

wonders in the heavens? Joel 2:30, 31.

NOTE.—"May 19, 1780, stands in history

as `The Dark Day' Since the time of Moses

New Testament Predictions

How did Jesus speak of God's

use of the heavenly bodies as omens

of the end? Luke 21:25, 26.

Num.—"When the Lord said `heaven,' in

giving signs recorded by Matthew, Mark,

and Luke, He meant heaven, and when He

said 'earth' He meant earth. The powers

of heaven are the sun, moon, and stars.

They rule in the heavens. The powers of

earth are those that rule on the earth. The

powers of heaven will be shaken at the

voice of God. Then the sun, moon, and

stars will be moved out of their places.

They will not pass away, but be shaken

by the voice of God."—Early

Writings,

page 41.

In what words did the revelator

speak of the unnatural appearance of

the sun and the moon under the sixth

seal? Rev. 6:12, last part.

NOTE.—"The sun became black as sack-

cloth, the full moon became like blood."

Rev. 6:12, R.S.V.

What did John say in the same

connection, about the movements of

the stars? Rev. 6:13.

Prophecy and the Witness

of History

How did Jesus mention the sun

in warnings of the end? Matt. 24:29,

first part.

[ 23 ]

No man can be"watching"and

"ready"i[ he is asleep.

NoTE.—"As He warned His disciples of

Jerusalem's destruction, giving them a sign

of the approaching ruin, that they might

make their escape; so He has warned the

world of the day of final destruction and

has given them tokens of its approach, that

all who will may flee from the wrath to

come. Jesus declares: "There shall be signs

in the sun, and in the moon, and in the

stars.'

"—The Great Controversy,

page 37.

"Twenty-five years later [than the Lis-

bon earthquake, 1755] appeared the next

sign mentioned in the prophecy—the dark-

ening of the sun and moon. . . . The 1260

days, or years, terminated in 1798. A

quarter of a century earlier, persecution had

almost wholly ceased. Following this per-

secution, according to the words of Christ,

the sun was to be darkened. On the 19th

of May, 1780, this prophecy was fulfilled."

—Ibid.,

p. 306.

What did Jesus prophesy about

the moon as a sign of the coming of

the Son of man? Mark 13:24.

Nom—Following the dark day of May

19, 1780, came the supernatural obscure-

ment of the moon. "'Nor was the darkness

of the night less uncommon and terrifying

than that of the day; notwithstanding there

was almost a full moon, no object was dis-

cernible but by the help of some artificial

light, which, when seen from the neighbor-

ing houses and other places at a distance,

appeared through a kind of Egyptian dark-

ness which seemed almost impervious to

the rays'

"—The Great Controversy,

page

308.

In what brief words does Luke

record Christ's reference to the use of

the heavenly bodies as warnings of

coming events? How does Matthew

amplify Luke's statement? Luke 21:25,

first part; Matt. 24:29.

NOTE.—"This prophecy received a strik-

ing and impressive fulfillment in the great

meteoric shower of November 13, 1833.

That was the most extensive and wonder-

ful display of falling stars which has ever

been recorded; 'the whole firmament, over

all the United States, being then, for hours,

in fiery commotion! No celestial phenome-

non has ever occurred in this country, since

its first settlement, which was viewed with

such intense admiration by one class in

the community, or with so much dread and

alarm by another.'

"—The Great Con-

troversy,

page

333.

The Church and the Signs in

the Heavens

10.

What advice did Jesus give to

men who see the import of these signs

in the heavens? Luke 21:28.

NoTE.—"Look up and raise your heads,"

R.S.V. "The Greek word, literally,

bend

up,

turn up,

meets us here and in chap.

13:11."—Ellicott's Commentary..

In Luke

13:11, sickness had kept a woman bent

with infirmity for eighteen years, so that

she "could in no wise lift up herself."

When men see the approach of the end,

every earthly preoccupation should be laid

aside. They should look up and prepare

to meet the Lord.

Looking up

is not one

look, but a life of preparedness.

11.

What are Christians to know

when they see the predicted signs com-

ing to pass? Mark 13:29.

[ 24 1

NoTE.—"Must we see things foretold

come to pass before we will believe what He

has said? In clear, distinct rays light has

come to us, showing us that the great day

of the Lord is near at hand, 'even at the

doors.' Let us read and understand before

it is too

late."—Testimonies,

vol. 9, p. 20.

12.

In what words did Jesus warn

His followers against certain fatal

weaknesses which might overtake

them during the waiting period pre-

ceding His coming? Luke 21:34.

NOTE.—"We have reached the period

foretold in these scriptures. The time of

the end is come, the visions of the proph-

ets are unsealed, and their solemn warnings

point us to our Lord's coming in glory as

near at hand. The Jews misinterpreted and

misapplied the word of God, and they knew

not the time of their visitation. . . . While

we are not to know the hour of our Lord's

return, we may know when it is near."—

The Desire of Ages,

page 235.

13.

In what one word did Jesus

stress the necessity of constant prepar-

edness for His return? Matt. 24:42.

Compare Mark 13:35, 36.

NoTE.—"Jesus has left us word: 'Watch

ye therefore: for ye know not when the

Master of the house cometh, at even, or at

midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in

the morning: lest coming suddenly He find

you sleeping. And what I say unto you I

say unto all, Watch.' [Mark 13:35-37.1 We

are waiting and watching for the return

of the Master, who is to bring the morn-

ing, lest coming suddenly He find us sleep-

ing. What time is here referred to? Not

to the revelation of Christ in the clouds

of heaven to find a people asleep. No; but

to His return from His ministration in the

most holy place of the heavenly sanctuary,

when He lays off His priestly attire and

clothes Himself with garments of vengeance,

and when the mandate goes forth: 'He

that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and

he which is filthy, let him be filthy still:

and he that is righteous, let him be right-

eous still: and he that is holy, let him be

holy still.' When Jesus ceases to plead for

man, the cases of all are forever decided."—

Testimonies, vol.

2, pp. 190, 191.

Lesson 8, for February 20, 1960

Other Last-Day Signs

MEMORY VERSE:

"But thou,

Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even

to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be in-

creased." Dan.

12:4.

STUDY HELPS:

"The Great Controversy," pages 355, 356 (1950 subscription ed., pp.

349, 350); "Christ's Object Lessons," pages 170, 371, 372 (1923 ed., pp. 174,

376,

377);

"The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary," on lesson scrip-

tures; Lesson Help in "Review and Herald," of February 4.

DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD

Check Here

Sabbath afternoon: General survey.

❑

Sunday: Introduction; questions 1-4.

❑

Monday: Questions 5-7.

❑

Tuesday: Questions 8-10.

❑

[

Check Here

Wednesday: Questions 11-13; read

from Study Helps.



❑

Thursday: Read Study Helps.



❑

Friday: Review entire lesson.



❑

Lesson Outline:

Introduction

I. Increase of Knowledge and

Responsibility

The sealed book. Dan. 12:4.

The time of the end. Dan. 11:35.

The 1260 years. Dan. 7:25.

The purpose of increased knowl-

edge. Matt. 24:14.

II. Warnings for Perilous Times

The love of self. 2 Tim. 3:2-5.

The reason for reproof. James 5:

1-3.

7. The right use of possessions. Luke

12:16-21.

III. Disturbed Nations

8. Prophecy of war. Joel 3:9-11.

9. Christ's prophecy of wars and tu-

mults. Matt. 24:6, 7.

10. Failure to discern the signs. Matt.

16:3, 4.

IV. Facing the Future Confidently

11. "Fear not, Abram." Gen 15:1.

12. "Fear not, little flock." Luke 12:32.

13. "Fear God, and give glory to Him."

Rev. 14:7.

THE LESSON

Introduction

When God foretells future events, He does

so for two reasons: (1) that the sinner may

be warned and saved; (2) that the church

may be reassured and prepared.

Some prophecies have both a near and a

distant fulfillment, as when Jesus spoke of

conditions leading to Jerusalem's destruc-

tion as the background for the portrayal

of conditions at the end of the world. This

lesson deals with some of these prophecies

and points out both the dangers and a

way of escape from them.

Increase of Knowledge and

Responsibility

1. What special prophecies were to

be unfolded in the last days? Dan.

12:4. Compare Rev. 10:8-11.

NOTE.

-"It

was not given him [Daniel]

to understand all that God had revealed of

the divine purpose. 'Shut up the words,

and seal the book,' he was directed con-

cerning his prophetic writings; these were

to be sealed 'even to the time of the end.' "

-Prophets and Kings,

page 547.

"This prophecy has also been interpreted

as pointing to the stupendous advances of

science and general knowledge in the last

century and a half, advances that have

made possible a widespread proclamation

of the message of these prophecies."-The

Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary,

on Dan. 12:4.

2. Until what time were Christians to

suffer persecution at the hands of the

Roman power? Dan. 11:35.

NOTE.

-The end of the allotted period for

this persecution was to mark the opening

of "the time of the end."

3. How long were the saints to be

under the power of the little-horn

power? Dan. 7:25.

Nom-The little horn was to exercise

dominance "until a time and times and the

dividing of time" (Dan. 7:25), or 1260

years from A.D. 538 (defeat of the Ostro-

goths) till 1798. This marked the begin-

ning of "the time of the end." "The words

of the angel to Daniel relating to the last

days were to be understood in the time of

the

end."-The Desire of Ages,

page 234.

The prophecies of Daniel regarding the

end of all things needed widespread dis-

semination to be of help to mankind. This

demanded an accelerated scientific knowl-

edge such as we have seen in speedy trans-

portation, printing, medical knowledge,

[ 26 ]

The completion of the in robing order, "Go ye into

all the world," will be followed by the fulfillment,

.Q60- B



will come again.

commercial development, electronics. In

addition we have seen tmprecedented po-

litical, religious, educational, and intel-

lectual freedom—all of use in God's great

plan to prepare the world for coming

judgment.

What was God's great purpose in

this unprecedented increase of knowl-

edge since the end of the eighteenth

cetitury? Matt. 24:14.

NoTE.—"The whole earth is to be illu-

minated with the glory of God's truth. The

light is to shine to all lands and all

peo-

ples."—Testimonies,

vol. 6, p. 24.

"Thirty years after Christ spoke these

words Paul affirmed that the gospel had

gone to all the world (Col. 1:23; cf. Rom.

1:8; 10:18; Col. 1:5, 6; 8T 26), confirm-

ing the literal fulfillment of this prediction

in his day (see DA 633). However, Paul's

declaration was true in a limited sense

only. . . . The complete fulfillment of this

prediction of our Lord is yet to be realized

(see ..A 111)."—The

Seventh-day Advent-

ist Bible Commentary,

on Matt. 24:14.

Warnings for Perilous Times

In what nineteen striking expres-

sions does Paul illustrate the perils of

the last days in human relations?

What are Christians to do under such

conditions? 2 Tim. 3:2-5.

NOTE.—"The Bible declares that before

the coming of the Lord there will exist a

state of religious declension similar to that

in the first centuries."—The

Great Contro-

versy,

page 444.

What does the apostle say will

bring misery upon certain classes in

the last times? James 5:1-3.

NoTE.—The selfish rich here exemplify

men who have the means and the power

to do good, but refuse to do it. Selfishness,

fraudulence, callous disregard of others'

needs, always call out envy and resent-

ment in return, but increasingly so in the

end of time.

"The apostle refers not only to the in-

security that always surrounds an accumu-

lation of riches but also to increasing ten-

sions as the last days of earth's history

draw

near."—The Seventh-day Adventist

Bible Commentary,

on James 5:1.

In what way did Jesus teach that

selfish hoarding of possessions leaves

us poor before God? Luke 12:16-21.

NoTE.—"The man in the parable had not

where to bestow his goods, and the Lord

cut short his unprofitable life. So will He

deal with many. How difficult, in this cor-

rupt age, to keep from growing worldly

and selfish. How easy to become ungrate-

ful to the Giver of all our mercies. Great

watchfulness is needed, and much prayer,

to keep the soul with all diligence."—

Testimonies, vol.

2, p. 199.

Jesus possessed practically no worldly

goods, but how rich He was in unselfish

love and service! "The spirit of Christ's

self-sacrificing love is the spirit that per-

vades heaven and is the very essence of

its bliss. This is the spirit that Christ's fol-

lowers will possess, the work that they

will

do."

---Steps to Christ,

page 77 (1908

ed., p. 81).

[27

Disturbed Nations

What conditions will arise in the

last days? Joel 3:9-11.

NoTE.—"The gradual withdrawal of

God's Spirit in these last days leaves the

way open for a corresponding increase in

satanic activity designed to lead men on to

destroy one another. This process will

reach its climax just before the coming of

the Son of man in the clouds of heaven."—

The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Com-

mentary,

on Joel 3:9.

Testimonies,

vol. 4, p. 446, the words

of Joel 3:14, "multitudes in the valley of

decision," are applied to the spiritual decision

that truth brings to people under the three

angels' messages. In that spiritual sense,

this prophecy is vital to us all today.

What conditions that existed pre-

ceding Jerusalem's destruction are to

exist increasingly before the end?

Matt. 24:6, 7. Compare Mark 13:7, 8;

Luke 21:9, 10.

NotE.—In the forty years between this

speech during the last week before Christ's

crucifixion and the destruction of Jerusalem,

there were fierce persecutions of Jews, es-

pecially at Alexandria in A.D. 38. At Se-

leucia, about the same time, some 50,000

Jews were slaughtered, and many other

national tumults are recorded by Josephus.

But the Lord's discourse did not leave

trouble behind at Jerusalem's fall. "The

end is not yet," He said.

"We have by no means to understand

exclusively

the wars, etc., which were to

take place in the interval of forty years;

but all the calamities of this kind which

in continually increasing measure should

precede the end of the world, of which the

destruction of Jerusalem was only a type."

—J. J. Van Oosterzee,

Gospel According

to Luke,

quoted by Wilbur M. Smith in

This Atomic Age and the Word of God,

page 251.

"Here all wars are meant down to the

end of the world; and certainly there are

enough of them to be found."—Lange's

Commentary,

on Matt. 24:6.

10.

How did Jesus rebuke the

Pharisees and Sadducees for their fail-

ure to discern the signs of their times?

What was the tragic result? Matt.

16:3, 4. Compare 23:37-39.

NOTE.—"We need keen, sanctified per-

ception. This perception is not to be used

in criticizing and condemning one another,

but discerning the signs of the times."—

Testimonies,

vol. 8, p. 101.

"Jerusalem is a representation of what

the church will be if it refuses to walk in

the light that God has given. Jerusalem

was favored of God as the depositary of

sacred trusts. But her people perverted the

truth, and despised all entreaties and warn-

ings. They would not respect His coun-

sels. The temple courts we're polluted with

merchandise and robbery. Selfishness and

love of mammon, envy and strife, were

cherished. Everyone sought for gain."—

Ibid.,

p. 67.

Facing the Future Confidently

11.

What message came to Abra-

ham at a time when he looked toward

the future with foreboding? Gen. 15:1.

NoTE.—The Canaanites were jealous of

Abraham's growing wealth and power, the

Mesopotamian kings were no doubt ready

to avenge their defeat, Abraham was still

childless, God's promise was still unful-

filled, and the future was uncertain.

"His mind was disturbed by harassing

thoughts. He had been a man of peace,

so far as possible shunning enmity and

strife; and with horror he recalled the scene

of carnage he had witnessed. But the na-

tions whose forces he had defeated would

doubtless renew the invasion of Canaan,

and make him the special object of their

vengeance. Becoming thus involved in na-

tional quarrels, the peaceful quiet of his

life would be broken. Furthermore, he had

not entered upon the possession of Canaan,

nor could he now hope for an heir, to

[ 28 ]

whom the promise might be fulfilled."—

Patriarchs and Prophets,

page 136.

12. What did Jesus say to His dis-

ciples about the kingdom, at a time

when their future seemed uncertain?

Luke 12:32.

NoTE.—"As they went out in their Mas-

ter's name, facing reproach and poverty

and persecution, they often strengthened

their hearts by repeating His injunction,

spoken on this last journey, 'Fear not, little

flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure

to give you the kingdom.'

"—The Desire

of Ages,

page 496.

13. What are men exhorted to do as

they see the omens of imminent judg-

ment? Rev. 14:7.

NOTE.—"Today the church of God is

free to carry forward to completion the

divine plan for the salvation of a lost race.

. . , To spiritual Israel have been restored

the privileges accorded the people of God

at the time of their deliverance from Baby-

lon. In every part of the earth, men and

women are responding to the Heaven-sent

message which John the revelator prophe-

sied would be proclaimed prior to the

second coming of

Christ."—Prophets and

Kings,

page 714.

Lesson 9, for February 27, 1960

Signs in the Spiritual World

MEMORY VERSE:

"To the law and to

the testimony: if they speak not according to

this word, it is because there is no light in them." Isa. 8:20.

STUDY HELPS:

"The Great Controversy," pages 321, 444, 563-581 (1950 subscrip-

tion ed., pp. 314, 315, 437, 438, 557-574); "Early Writings," pages 139, 227;

"Testimonies to Ministers," page 78; "The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Com-

mentary," on lesson scriptures; Lesson Help in "Review and Herald" of Feb-

ruary 11.

DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD

Check Here

Sabbath afternoon: General survey.

❑

Sunday: Introduction; questions 1-4.

❑

Monday: Questions 5-7.

❑

Tuesday: Questions 8, 9; begin

reading from Study Helps.

❑

Check Here

Wednesday: Questions 10-12; read

further from Study Helps.

Thursday: Questions 13-15; read

further from Study Helps.

Friday: Review entire lesson.

Lesson Outline:

Introduction

I. Widespread Moral Decay

A peril for the world. 2 Tim. 3:1.

A source of corruption to mankind.

2 Tim. 3:2-4.

Outward piety, inward evil. 2 Tim.

3:5, first part.

The Christian's duty. 2 Tim. 3:5,

last part.

II. Counterfeits of Prophecy

False christs. Matt. 24:24.

Deceptive proclamations. Matt.

24:26.

I 29 I

Counteractive remedies. Matt. 24:

26, last clause; Isa. 8:20.

Ill. Tendency Toward Apostasy

Departure from the faith. 1 Tim.

4:1.

Falling prey to deception. 2 Thess.

2:3, 4.

IV. The Resurgence of an Evil Power

10.

Recapture of former influence. Rev.

13:3.

11.

Additional usurpation of power.

Rev. 13:14-17.

12.

Almost world-wide success. Rev.

13:8.

V. Waning Watchfulness

13.

A spiritual danger to the Lord's

servants. Matt. 24:48.

14.

The cause of a sad fate. Matt. 24:

50, 51.

15.

A warning to God's people. Matt.

24:44-46.

THE LESSON

times shall come;' and that the kingdom of

darkness shall continue until the advent of

the Lord and shall be consumed with the

spirit of His mouth and be destroyed with

the brightness of His coming."—The

Great

Controversy,

page 321.

2. What characteristics of men in

the last days make those days perilous?

Tim. 3:2-4.

Introduction

The most ominous signs of the end of the

world are not necessarily visible to all. The

subtle and continuous declension in spiritual

integrity, even among Christians, is just

as real a sign as the darkening of the sun

or the falling of the stars. Watch should

be kept, by the earnest Christian, of these

signs of the coming of the Lord.

Widespread Moral Decay

1. What gloomy forecast with re-

gard to the dangerous spiritual con-

ditions in the time of the end does

Paul make?

Tim.

3:1.

NorE.—"Taking the manner in which

the prophecies had been fulfilled in the

past as a criterion by which to judge of

the fulfillment of those which were still

future, he [William Miller] became satis-

fied that the popular view of the spiritual

reign of Christ—a temporal millennium be-

fore the end of the world—was not sus-

tained by the word of God. This doctrine,

pointing to a thousand years of righteous-

ness and peace before the personal coming

of the Lord, put far off the terrors of the

day of God. But, pleasing though it may

be, it is contrary to the teachings of Christ

and His apostles, who declared that the

wheat and the tares are to grow together

until the harvest, the end of the world;

that 'evil men and seducers shall wax worse

and worse;' that 'in the last days perilous

NorE.—The collapse of civilized practices

during the wars and unrest of the past two

decades furnish sufficient proof of the ac-

curacy of the prophecy under consideration.

Torture, programs of exterminations di-

rected at whole races of people, and inter-

national treachery are fulfillments that are

known by the whole world.

While indulging in ungodly

practices, what will many in the last

days profess?

Tim.

3:5,

first part.

NOTE.-"I

saw a very large company

professing the name of Christ, but God

did not recognize them as His. He had no

pleasure in them. Satan seemed to assume

a religious character, and was very willing

that the people should think they were

Christians. He was even anxious that they

should believe in Jesus, His crucifixion, and

His resurrection. Satan and his angels

fully believe all this themselves, and trem-

ble. But if this faith does not provoke to

good works, and lead those who profess it

Many professed ministers of God are crowding out

the Bible by man-made theories and false science.

to imitate the self-denying life of Christ,

Satan is not disturbed; for they merely

assume the Christian name, while their

hearts are still carnal, and he can use them

in his service even better than if they

made no profession. Hiding their deformity

under the name of Christian, they pass

along with their unsanctified natures, and

their evil passions unsubdued. This gives

occasion for the unbeliever to reproach

Christ with their imperfections, and causes

those who do possess pure and undefiled

religion to be brought into disrepute."—

Early Writings,

pages 227, 228.

What should be the Christian's

attitude toward those who profess reli-

gion but do not practice it? 2 Tim.

3:5, last part.

Counterfeits of Prophecy

Against what special deceptions

are the elect warned? Matt. 24:24.

What counterfeit measures did

Christ indicate would be attempted?

Matt. 24:26.

NoTE.—"Prophesyings which contradict

the plain and positive declarations of the

word, are to be rejected. Thus our Saviour

taught His disciples when He warned them

concerning the manner of His second com-

ing. When Jesus ascended to heaven in the

sight of His disciples, it was declared most

explicitly by the angels that this same

Jesus should so come in like manner as

they had seen Him go into heaven. Hence

Jesus, in predicting the work of the false

prophets of the last days, says, 'If they

shall say unto you, Behold, He is in the

desert, go not forth; Behold, He is in the

secret chambers, believe it not.' All true

prophesying on that point must recognize

His visible coming from heaven."—Early

Writings,

page 139.

How are all such manifestations

to be regarded by God's people? Matt.

24:25, 26, last clause; Isa. 8:20.

Tendency Toward Apostasy

What has the Spirit revealed con-

cerning the apostasies in the last days?

1 Tim. 4:1.

NOTE.—"In the days of Christ the leaders

and teachers of Israel were powerless to

resist the work of Satan. They were neg-

lecting the only means by which they

could have withstood evil spirits. It was by

the word of God that Christ overcame the

wicked one. The leaders of Israel pro-

fessed to be the expositors of God's word,

but they had studied it only to sustain their

traditions, and enforce their man-made ob-

servances. By their interpretation they

made it express sentiments that God had

never given. Their mystical construction

made indistinct that which He had made

plain. Thus infidelity was sown broadcast.

God's word was robbed of its power. . . .

"History is repeating. With the open

Bible before them, and professing to rever-

ence its teachings, many of the religious

leaders of our time are destroying faith in

it as the word of God. They busy them-

selves with dissecting the word, and set

their own opinions above its plainest state-

ments. In their hands God's word loses its

regenerating power. This is why infidelity

runs riot, and iniquity is

rife."—The Desire

of Ages,

pages 257, 258.

[ 31 ]

With what prophetic words did

Paul speak in another place of this

same tragic happening? 2 Thess. 2:3, 4.

NOTE.—"The apostle Paul, in his second

letter to the Thessalonians, foretold the

great apostasy which would result in the

establishment of the papal power. He de-

clared that the day of Christ should not

come, 'except there come a falling away

first, and that man of sin be revealed. . .

And furthermore, the apostle warns his

brethren that 'the mystery of iniquity doth

already work.' 2 Thess. 2:3, 4, 7. Even

at that early date he saw, creeping into the

church, errors that would prepare the way

for the development of the papacy."—The

Great Controversy,

page 49.

The Resurgence of an

Evil Power

10.

What startling development

does prophecy indicate will bring a

restoration of the "mystery of iniq-

uity"? Rev 13:3.

NoTE.—"Since the middle of the nine-

teenth century, students of prophecy in

the United States have presented this

testimony to the world. In the events now

taking place is seen a rapid advance toward

the fulfillment of the prediction. With Prot-

estant teachers there is the same claim of

divine authority for Sundaykeeping, and the

same lack of Scriptural evidence, as with

the papal leaders who fabricated miracles

to supply the place of a command from

God. The assertion that God's judgments

are visited upon men for their violation of

the Sunday-sabbath, will be repeated; al-

ready it is beginning to be urged. And a

movement to enforce Sunday observance

is fast gaining ground."—The

Great Con-

troversy,

pages 579, 580.

11.

What evil attempt will the

second power of Revelation 13 make

upon the activities and lives of the

saints? Rev. 13:14-17.

12.

Who alone will

not

be de-

ceived? Rev. 13:8.

Waning Watchfulness

13.

Against what attitude must

Christ's followers constantly be on

guard? Matt. 24:48.

Nora.—"The Lord has a controversy

with all men who by their unbelief and

doubt have been saying that He delays His

coming, and who have been smiting their

fellow servants, and eating and drinking

with (working from the very same prin-

ciple as) the drunken; they are drunken,

but not with wine; they stagger, but not

with strong drink. Satan has controlled

their reason, and they know not at what

they

stumble."—Testimonies to Ministers,

page 78.

14.

When the Lord returns, what

will be the fate of the "evil servant"?

Matt. 24:50, 51.

15.

What is said of those who are

found ready and watching for their

Lord's return? Matt. 24:44-46.

The teacher's edition of the "Sabbath School Lesson Quarterly"

is a valuable aid to every Sabbath-school teacher, because every

other page is blank, providing space for writing out texts, notes,

comments, etc. Ask your Sabbath-school secretary to secure one for

you along with the order for regular "Quarterlies."

[

32 ]

Lesson 10, for March 5, 1960

The Manner of His Coming

MEMORY VERSE: "But I

say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the

vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father's kingdom."

Matthew 26:29.

STUDY HELPS:

"Early Writings," pages 285-288; "The Desire of Ages," page 832;

"The Great Controversy," pages 315, 625 (1950 subscription ed., pp. 308, 309,

617,

618);

"The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary," on lesson scrip-

tures; Lesson Help in "Review and Herald" of February 18.

DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD

Check Here

Sabbath afternoon: Introduction;

Check Here

Wednesday: Questions 11-13; read

general survey.

❑

from Study Helps.

❑

Sunday:

Questions

1, 2; begin read-

Thursday: Finish reading Study

ing

from Study Helps.

❑

Helps.

❑

Monday: Questions 3-6.

❑

Friday: Review entire lesson.

Tuesday: Questions 7-10.

❑

Introduction

Jesus is to return to His followers in a

literal, visible, audible manner, in such a

manner that every inhabitant of the earth

will know it is He. How strange that so

Lesson Outline:

Introduction

I. He Will Come Literally

To those who look for Him. Heb.

9:28.

"In like manner." Acts 1:11, last

part.

II. He Will Come Visibly

The disciples watched Him. Acts 1:9.

"Every eye shall see Him." Rev.

1:7.

He will be as visible as lightning.

Luke 17:24.

He will be seen in the clouds of

heaven. Matt. 24:30.

III. He Will Come in Demonstration

Power

"With great power and glory."

Mark 13:26.

"In His own glory." Luke 9:26.

With His angels. Matt. 25:31.

10.

"The Lord Himself." 1 Thess. 4:

16, first part.

11.

With a shout of command. 1 Thess.

4:16, second part.

IV. He Will Minister to Our Physical

Needs

12.

As on this earth. John 21:9-13.

13.

So in the world to come. Matt. 26:

29; Rev. 19:9.

THE LESSON

many do not now believe when they have

before them the evidence found in this

lesson! Yet the followers of Christ need

to know these promises well, for the ad-

versary of our souls will deceive us if we

do not.

The guardian angels and the faithful they have



-1

protected in li e will meet face to face

at the second advent.

He Will Come Literally

What is the promise to those

who are found looking for the com-

ing of Jesus? Heb. 9:28.

NoTE.—"This word 'appear' should be

given special attention. Christ, when He

comes the second time, will come in an

open, public manner; there will be nothing

secret about it; there will be nothing hid-

den from the eye of man; 'He will appear,'

that is, He will be seen by the people dwell-

ing on the earth. . . .

"His coming will be literal, personal,

bodily, visible. It will be a real thing,

not the coming of a 'spirit being,' an 'in

visible Lord,' but of the very same Jesus

who walked with His disciples on the hills

of Galilee."—Carlyle B. Haynes,

The Re-

turn of Jesus,

page 114.

What did the angels who were

present at the ascension of Jesus say

of the manner of His second coming?

Acts 1:11, last part.

NoTE.—"Christ had ascended to heaven

in the form of humanity. The disciples had

beheld the cloud receive Him. The same

Jesus who had walked and talked and

prayed with them; who had broken bread

with them; who had been with them in

their boats on the lake; and who had that

very day toiled with them up the ascent

of Olivet,—the same Jesus had now gone to

share His Father's throne. And the angels

had assured them that the very One whom

they had seen go up into heaven, would

come again even as He had ascended. He

will come 'with clouds; and every eye shall

see Him.' The Lord Himself shall descend

from heaven with a shout, with the voice

of the Archangel, and with the trump of

God: and the dead in Christ shall rise.'

`The Son of man shall come in His glory,

and all the holy angels with Him, then shall

He sit upon the throne of His glory.' Rev.

1:7; 1 Thess. 4:16; Matt. 25:31. Thus

will be fulfilled the Lord's own promise to

His disciples: `If I go and prepare a place

for you, I will come again, and receive you

unto Myself ; that where I am, there ye

may be also.' John 14:3. Well might the

disciples rejoice in the hope of their Lord's

return."—The

Desire of Ages,

page 832.

He Will Come Visibly

In what manner did Christ

ascend to heaven? Acts 1:9.

How does John the revelator

portray the second coming of our

Lord? Rev. 1:7.

How did Jesus Himself describe

the manner of His coming? Luke

17:24.

NOTE.—"And, furthermore, Satan is not

permitted to counterfeit the manner of

Christ's advent. The Saviour has warned

His people against deception upon this

point, and has clearly foretold the manner

of His second coming. 'There shall arise

false christs, and false prophets, and shall

show great signs and wonders; insomuch

that, if it were possible, they shall deceive

the very elect. . . . Wherefore if they

shall say unto you, Behold, He is in the

[ 34 ]

desert; go not forth: behold, He is in the

secret chambers; believe it not. For as

the lightning cometh out of the east, and

shineth even unto the west; so shall also

the coming of the Son of man be.' Matt.

24:24-27. . . . This coming there is no possi-

bility of counterfeiting. It will be univer-

sally known—witnessed by the whole

world."—The

Great Controversy,

page 625.

What further proof is there that

Jesus' return will be witnessed by all

the world? Matt. 24:30.

He Will Come in Demonstration

of Power

What two manifestations did

Jesus say would attend His coming?

Mark 13:26.

NOTE.—"Christ is coming with power

and great glory. He is coming with His

own glory and with the glory of the

Father. And the holy angels will attend

Him on His way. While all the world is

plunged in darkness, there will be light in

every dwelling of the saints. They will

catch the first light of His second appear-

ing. The unsullied light will shine from His

splendor, and Christ the Redeemer will be

admired by all who have served Him. While

the wicked flee, Christ's followers will re-

joice in His

presence."—Prophets and Kings,

page 720.

In whose glory will He come?

Luke 9:26.

As Christ descends from heaven

to claim His own, who will accom-

pany Him? Matt. 25:31. Compare

Matt. 24:31.

NOTE.—"With anthems of celestial mel-

ody the holy angels, a vast, unnumbered

throng, attend Him on His way. The firma-

ment seems filled with radiant forms—`ten

thousand times ten thousand, and thousands

of thousands.' No human pen can portray

the scene; no mortal mind is adequate to

conceive its splendor. . . . As the living

cloud comes still nearer, every eye beholds

the Prince of life. No crown of thorns

now mars that sacred head; but a diadem

of glory rests on His holy brow. His

countenance outshines the dazzling bright-

ness of the noonday sun. 'And He hath on

His vesture and on His thigh

name

written, King of kings, and Lord of lords.'

Rev. 19

:16."—The Great Controversy,

page 641.

"It is appropriate that the angels, who

have ministered to the needs of those who

have become 'heirs of salvation' (Heb. 1:

14), should participate in the events of that

glorious morning. Now, for the first time,

God's people will have the privilege of

seeing face to face these holy beings who

have guarded them throughout this earthly

pilgrimage."—The

Seventh-day Adventist

Bible Commentary,

on Matt. 24:31.

10.

In what emphatic words did

the apostle Paul speak of the personal

coming of Christ? 1 Thess. 4:16, first

part.

NoTE.—"In non-Biblical writings

keleusma

is used of an officer issuing orders to his

troops or of a charioteer urging his horses.

. . . He has conquered death and the grave

(Rev. 1:18) . No longer can the enemy, death,

hold any of the redeemed in his cold grasp.

The righteous dead respond to their Lord's

command and rise from their graves."—The

Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary,

on 1 Thess. 4:16.

11.

How does Christ demonstrate

His authority as Victor? 1 Thess. 4:16,

last part.

NoTE.—"The Lord Himself.

The per-

sonal, visible, bodily appearing of the

Lord in great majesty is here clearly de-

scribed. Christ does not send a deputy,

nor does He come spiritually. He Himself

comes in person. The same Jesus who as-

cended to heaven now descends from

heaven."—The

Seventh-day Adventist Bible

Commentary,

on 1 Thess. 4:16.

[ 36 ]

He Will Minister to Our

Physical Needs

12.

After His resurrection, how did

Jesus demonstrate that He was the

same Jesus who had always ministered

to both the spiritual and the physical.

John 21:9-13.

13.

When will Jesus again bid His

faithful followers to dine with Him?

Matt. 26:29; Rev. 19:9.

Narr.—In a recital of her first vision,

Ellen G. White gives us this beautiful

picture: "Soon we heard His lovely voice

again, saying, 'Come, My people, you have

come out of great tribulation, and done My

will; suffered for Me; come in to supper,

for I will gird Myself, and serve you.' We

shouted, Villeinlia ! glory !' and entered into

the city. And I saw a table of pure silver;

it was many miles in length, yet our eyes

could extend over it. I saw the fruit of the

tree of life, the manna, almonds, figs,

pomegranates, grapes, and many other kinds

of fruit. I asked Jesus to let me eat of

the fruit. He said, Not now. Those who

eat of the fruit of this land, go back to

earth no more. But in a little while, if

faithful, you shall both eat of the fruit of

the tree of life, and drink of the water of the

fountain.'

"—Early Writings,

pages 19, 20.

Let us be faithful, that in a little while

may partake of the tree of life.

Lesson 11, for March 12, 1960

Preparation for Christ's Coming

MEMORY VERSE:

"So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto

them that look for Him shall He appear the second time without sin unto sal-

vation." Heb. 9:28.

STUDY HELPS:

"The Great Controversy," pages 37, 428, 508 (1950 subscription ed.,

pp. 19-21, 422, 423, 502); "Christ's Object Lessons," pages 177, 178, 310,

(1923 ed., pp. 180, 181, 317); "The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary,"

on lesson scriptures; Lesson Help in "Review and Herald" of February 25.

DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD

Check Here

Sabbath afternoon: General survey.

❑

Sunday: Introduction; questions 1-5.

❑

Monday: Questions 6-8.

❑

Tuesday: Questions 9-12.

❑

Check Here

Wednesday: Begin reading from

Study Helps.



Thursday: Finish reading from

Study Helps.

Friday: Review entire lesson.

Lesson Outline:

Introduction

I. The Essential Preparation

We must love His appearing. 2 Tim.

4:6-8.

We must

be patient. James 5:8.

[861

We must be prayerful. Luke

21:36.

We must have Christ's righteous-

ness. Rev. 3:18.

We must have the wedding gar-

ment. Matt. 22:11-13.

II. The End of Human Probation

The final decree. Rev. 22:11, 12.

The sorrow of the unrepentant.

Rev. 6:15-17.

The reason for unpreparedness. 2

Cor. 4:4.

Ill. Out of Tribulation

Purified by tribulation. Rev. 7:13, 14.

10.

The commandment-keeping church.

Rev. 12:17.

11.

The church triumphant. Rev. 19:

7-9.

12.

On the sea of glass. Rev. 15:2, 3.

THE LESSON

lAtroduction

There is a terrible finality in the warn-

ings found in the scriptures used in this

lesson. Everyone faces the irrevocable edict

of God that will apply to him according to

his choice of good or evil. We need often

to read the warnings and admonitions

given here, that we may be constantly alert

to the danger of carelessly drifting away

from Christ and His righteousness into

eternal loss.

The Essential Preparation

What testimony did Paul give of

his preparedness to meet Christ?

2 Tim. 4:6-8.

NoTE.—"A

good fight.

Literally, 'the

good fight.' The definite article emphasizes

that supreme fight `of faith' . . . in which

all Christians are engaged.

"My course.

That is, the course of life

that God has appointed him. Paul had ful-

filled God's plan for him ; he did not slacken

or falter, he met every challenge, even his

execution, with Christian buoyancy and

resoluteness. . . .

"The faith. . . .

Personal faith depends

upon adherence to God's word. Every

Christian will 'guard the faith' by his per-

sonal representation of its principles. The

sincerity of a Christian's personal faith is

measured by the extent to which he re-

flects these principles. .

"Love. . . .

The word suggests much

more than mere impulse; it demands that

the whole life, every phase of thought and

action, be oriented with respect to the

person loved. The joyous prospect of the

second advent controls the Christian's use of

his time and money, affects his choice of

friends, and provides a powerful incentive

to eliminate defects in character and to be-

come more like Christ."—The

Seventh-day

Adventist Bible Commentary,

on 2 Tim.

4:7, 8.

Amid the turmoil of these latter

days, what Christian grace must the

believer exercise? James 5:8.

NOTE.—"The world has become bold in

transgression of God's law. Because of

His long forbearance, men have trampled

upon His authority. They have strength-

ened one another in oppression and cruelty

toward His heritage, saying, `How doth

God know? and is there knowledge in the

Most High?' Ps. 73:11. But there is a line

beyond which they cannot pass. The time

is near when they will have reached the

prescribed limit. Even now they have al-

most exceeded the bounds of the long-suf-

fering of God, the limits of His grace, the

limits of His mercy. The Lord will interpose

to vindicate His own honor, to deliver His

people, and to repress the swellings of un-

righteousness."—Christ's

Object Lessons,

pages 177, 178.

To all those who would be "ac-

counted worthy," what exhortation

did Jesus give? Luke 21:36.

In His message to the church of

Laodicea, how did Christ say prepara-

tion should be made? Rev. 3:18.

How did Jesus emphasize the

necessity of being covered with His

robe of righteousness? Matt. 22:11-13.

87 1

5P1

How shall I use my time

and spend my money,

knowing Jesus is

coming soon?

NoTE.—"In the parable of Matthew 22

the same figure of the marriage is intro-

duced, and the investigative judgment is

clearly represented as taking place before

the marriage. Previous to the wedding the

king comes in to see the guests, to see if all

are attired in the wedding garment, the

spotless robe of character washed and made

white in the blood of the Lamb. Matt. 22:

11; Rev. 7:14. He who is found wanting is

cast out, but all who upon examination are

seen to have the wedding garment on are

accepted of God and accounted worthy of

a share in His kingdom and a seat upon His

throne. This work of examination of char-

acter, of determining who are prepared

for the kingdom of God, is that of the in-

vestigative judgment, the closing work in

the sanctuary, above.

"When the work of investigation shall

be ended, when the cases of those who in

all ages have professed to be followers of

Christ have been examined and decided,

then, and not till then, probation will close,

and the door of mercy will be shut. Thus

in the one short sentence. 'They that were

ready went in with Him to the marriage,

and the door was shut,' we are carried

down through the Saviour's final minis-

tration, to the time when the great work

for man's salvation shall be completed."—

The Great Controversy,

page 428.

The End of Human Probation

When must the preparation of

the Christian to meet Christ be com-

plete? Rev. 22:11, 12.

What will be the experience of

those who are unprepared to meet

Christ? Rev. 6:15-17.

NorE.—"Let men beware lest they neglect

the lesson conveyed to them in the words

of Christ. As He warned His disciples

of Jerusalem's destruction, giving them a

sign of the approaching ruin, that they

might make their escape; so He has warned

the world of the day of final destruction

and has given them tokens of its approach,

that all who will may flee from the wrath

to come. Jesus declares, 'There

Shall

signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in

the stars; and upon the earth distress of

nations.' Luke 21:25. . . . Those who be-

hold these harbingers of His coming are to

'know that it is near, even at the doors.'

Matt. 24:33. 'Watch ye therefore,' are His

words of admonition. Mark 13:35. They

that heed the warning shall not be left in

darkness, that that day should overtake

them unawares. But to them that will not

watch, 'the day of the Lord so cometh as a

thief in the night.' 1 Thess.

5:2-5."—The

Great Controversy,

pages 37, 38.

Why will so many be unpre-

pared? 2 Cor. 4:4.

NOTE.—"Satan is continually seeking to

overcome the people of God by breaking

down the barriers which separate them

from the world. Ancient Israel were en-

ticed into sin when they ventured into

forbidden association with the heathen. In

a similar manner are modern Israel led

astray. . . . All who are not decided fol-

lowers of Christ are servants of Satan.

In the unregenerate heart there is love of

sin and a disposition to cherish and excuse

it. In the renewed heart there is hatred of

sin and determined resistance against it.

When Christians choose the society of the

ungodly and unbelieving, they expose them-

selves to temptation. Satan conceals him-

self from view and stealthily draws his

deceptive covering over their eyes. They

cannot see that such company is calculated

to do them harm; and while all the time

assimilating to the world in character,

words, and actions, they are becoming more

and more blinded."—The

Great Contro-

versy,

page 508.

Out of Tribulation

For what must those be prepared

who wish to triumph with Christ?

Rev. 7:13, 14.

NOTE.—"Great will be the joy and satis-

faction of those who, after long and patient

waiting, at last see the fruition of their

hopes, as the sign of the coming of the

Son of man appears in view. With what

joy, what unspeakable rapture, will they

witness His approach, as they realize that

the struggle with sin and all of its evil

consequences is forever over. Behind them

is earth, with its thorny pathways, its bit-

terness and toil, its disappointments, and

its blessings. Before them is an eternity in

the presence of Him whom they love, for

whom they have waited, and in whom

they have trusted."—His

Glorious Appear-

ing,

page 123.

10.

What will characterize the rem-

nant church? Rev. 12:17.

11.

What will be the condition of

the true church at the coming of

Jesus? Rev. 19:7-9.

NOTE.—"By the wedding garment in the

parable is represented the pure, spotless

character which Christ's true followers

will possess. To the church it is given 'that

she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean

and white,' not having spot, or wrinkle, or

any such thing.' Rev. 19:8. The fine linen,

says the Scripture, 'is the righteousness of

saints.' Eph. 5:27. It is the righteousness

of Christ, His own unblemished character,

that through faith is imparted to all who

receive Him as their personal Saviour. . . .

"Only the covering which Christ Himself

has provided can make us meet to appear

in God's presence."—Christ's

Object Lessons,

pages 310, 311.

12.

Where did John the revelator

see the triumphant church? What song

were they singing? Rev. 15:2, 3.

NorE.—"Upon the crystal sea before the

throne, that sea of glass as it were mingled

with fire,—so resplendent is it with the

glory of God,— are gathered the company

that have 'gotten the victory over the

beast, and over his image, and over his

mark, and over the number of his name.'

With the Lamb upon Mount Zion, 'having

the harps of God,' they stand, the hundred

and forty and four thousand that were

redeemed from among men; and there is

heard, as the sound of many waters, and

as the sound of a great thunder, 'the voice

of harpers harping with their harps.' And

they sing 'a new song' before the throne, a

song which no man can learn save the hun-

dred and forty and four thousand. It is

the song of Moses and the Lamb."—The

Great Controversy,

pages 648, 649.

Lesson 12, for March 19, 1960

The Object of His Coming

MEMORY VERSE:

"Thou wilt show me the path of life: in Thy presence is fu'llness of

joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures forevermore." Ps. 16:11.

STUDY HELPS:

"The Desire of Ages," pages 804, 301, 302, 549; "The Great Contro-

versy," chapter 40; "The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary," on lesson

scriptures; Lesson Help in "Review and Herald" of March 3.

[ 89

DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD

Check Here

Check

Here

Sabbath afternoon: General survey.

❑

Wednesday: Questions 10-13.

❑

Sunday: Introduction; questions 1-4.

❑

Thursday: Finish reading Study

Monday: Questions 5, 6; begin read-

Helps.

❑

ing from Study Helps.

❑

Friday: Review entire lesson.

❑

Tuesday: Questions 7-9; read fur-

ther from Study Helps.

❑

Lesson Outline:

Introduction

I. To Redeem the Earth and His People

The first dominion restored. Micah

4:6-8.

Christ glorified in His saints. 2

Thess. 1:10.

His people raised. 1 Thess. 4:16,

last part.

The redeemed changed into an in-

corruptible state. 1 Cor. 15:51-57.

II. To Bestow Upon His Children the

New Life

5. They shall be clothed with im-

mortality. 1 Cor. 15:53; Rom. 6:22.

They shall eat from the tree of life.

Rev. 2:7.

They shall know God. 1 Cor. 13:12.

They shall inherit the earth. Ps.

37:11; Matt. 5:5.

They shall leave behind all suffer-

ing. Rev. 21:4.

III. To Lead the Saved Into the Fullness

of Joy and Glory

10.

Perfect life in the presence of God.

Rev. 22:4.

11.

Complete salvation for the highest

price. John 3:16.

12.

Closest communion with the Re-

deemer. Rev. 7:15.

13.

Everlasting tender watchcare by

the Lamb. Rev. 7:16, 17.

THE LESSON

Introduction

The time will finally come to which the

saints have looked forward; to which God

Himself has looked forward. Now He can

give back to His beloved people what was

taken from them by the evil one. Now the

universe has seen the character of God vin-

dicated in the sacrifice of Christ and in the

fidelity of God's people. To that people

He now is able to bestow the unimaginable

rewards He has in store for them.

To Redeem the Earth and

His People

1. In what lofty language does the

prophet describe the restoration of

the lost dominion? Micah 4:6-8.

NOTE.

-"Satan,

by means of his success

in turning man aside from the path of

obedience, became 'the god of this world.'

2 Corinthians 4:4. The dominion that once

was Adam's passed to the usurper. But

the Son of God proposed to come to this

earth to pay the penalty of sin, and thus

not only redeem man, but recover the do-

minion forfeited. It Is of this restoration

that Micah prophesied when he said, '0

Tower of the flock, the stronghold of the

daughter of Zion, unto Thee shall it come,

even the first dominion.' Micah 4:8. The

apostle Paul has referred to it as 'the re-

demption of the purchased possession.'

Ephesians 1:14. And the psalmist had in

mind the same final restoration of man's

original inheritance when he declared, 'The

righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell

therein forever.' Psalm

37:29."-Prophets

and Kings,

page 682.

[ 40 ]

How will Christ be glorified in

that day? 2 Thess. 1:10.

NoTE.—"Glorified in His saints.

That is,

to be glorified in the persons of His saints.

The supreme vindication of Christ's ways

will take place when the whole family of

His saints is gathered together. Then the

universe will see the value of His sacrifice

and the success of the course He pursued.

Thus the Saviour will be glorified (cf. Gal.

1:24; 1 Thess. 2:20; 2 Thess. 1:4). As

the artist is glorified in his masterpiece, so

Christ is glorified before the heavenly

throng by His handiwork—the miracles of

His grace. . . . Throughout eternity glory

will redound to the Saviour as His saints

make known more fully the wisdom of God

in His wondrous plan of salvation, which

has been 'realized in Christ Jesus our Lord.'

(Eph. 3:10, 11, R.S.V.)."—The

Seventh-day

Adventist Bible Commentary,

on 2 Thess.

1:10.

As Christ returns to earth, what

marvelous event occurs? 1 Thess. 4:16,

last part.

What description is given of

this blessed occasion? 1 Cor. 15:51-57.

To Bestow Upon His Children

the New Life

At His second advent what is the

first gift Christ bestows upon the re-

deemed? 1 Cor. 15:53; Rom. 6:22.

What privilege will be restored

to the redeemed? Rev. 2:7. Compare

Gen. 3:22.

How fully will we understand

the wonderful provisions God has

made for us? 1 Cor. 13:12.

The supreme vindication of Christ's love, His life,

and His death for man, is seen in the redeemed saints....

NoTE.—"The resurrection of Jesus was a

type of the final resurrection of all who

sleep in Him. The countenance of the risen

Saviour, His manner, His speech, were all

familiar to His disciples. As Jesus arose

from the dead, so those who sleep in Him

are to rise again. We shall know our

friends, even as the disciples knew Jesus.

They may have been deformed, diseased,

or disfigured, in this mortal life, and they

rise in perfect health and symmetry; yet

in the glorified body their identity will be

perfectly preserved. Then shall we know

even as also we are known. 1 Cor. 13:12.

In the face radiant with the light shining

from the face of Jesus, we shall recognize

the lineaments of those we love."—The

Desire of Ages,

page 804.

What promise to the meek will

eventually be fulfilled to His follow-

ers? Ps. 37:11; Matt. 5:5.

NOTE.—" 'Blessed are the meek.' The

difficulties we have to encounter may be

very much lessened by that meekness which

hides itself in Christ. If we possess the

humility of our Master, we shall rise above

the slights, the rebuffs, the annoyances, to

which we are daily exposed, and they will

cease to cast a glooth over the spirit. The

highest evidence of nobility in a Christian

is self-control. He who under abuse or

cruelty fails to maintain a calm and trust-

ful spirit robs God of His right to reveal in

him His own perfection of character. Low-

liness of heart is the strength that gives

victory to the followers of Christ; it is

the token of their connection with the

courts above.

" 'Though the Lord be high, yet bath He

respect unto the lowly.' Ps. 138:6. Those

who reveal the meek and lowly spirit of

Christ are tenderly regarded by God. They

may be looked upon with scorn by the

world, but they are of great value in His

sight. Not only the wise, the great, the

beneficent, will gain a passport to the

heavenly courts; not only the busy worker,

full of zeal and restless activity. No; the

poor in spirit, who crave the presence of an

abiding Christ, the humble in heart, whose

highest ambition is to do God's will,—

these will gain an abundant entrance. They

will be among that number who have

washed their robes and made them white

in the blood of the Lamb. 'Therefore are

they before the throne of God, and serve

Him day and night in His temple: and He

that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among

them.' Rev.

7:15."—The Desire of Ages,

pages 301, 302.

From what universal ills will all

the redeemed be delivered at the re-

turn of Jesus? Rev. 21:4.

To Lead the Saved Into the

Fullness of Joy and Glory

10.

What blessed fellowship will

the redeemed enjoy? Rev. 22:4. Com-

pare Ps. 16:11.

NOTE.-" 'To him that overcometh,'

Christ said, 'will I grant to sit with Me in

My throne, even as I also overcame, and

am set down with My Father in His throne.'

`Him that overcometh will I make a pillar

in the temple of My God, and he shall go

no more out: and I will write upon him

the name of My God, . . . and I -will write

upon him My new name.' Rev. 3:21, 12.

So Paul the apostle wrote, 'I am now ready

to be offered, and the time of my de-

parture is at hand. I have fought a good

fight, I have finished my course, I have

kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up

for me a crown of righteousness, which the

Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me

at that day.' 2 Tim. 4:6-8. . . .

"The principle on which Christ acted is

to actuate the members of the church which

is His body."—The

Desire of Ages,

pp. 549,

550.

11.

What purchase price should we

ever keep in mind as having secured

these blessings for us? John 3:16.

12.

What special association will be

granted to those who have been greatly

persecuted for Christ's sake? Rev.

7:15.

13.

How does Christ show His ten-

der regard for these redeemed saints?

Rev. 7:16, 17.

Lesson 13, for March 26, 1960

The Finished Plan

MEMORY VERSE:

"And My people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in

sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places." Isa. 32:18.

STUDY HELPS:

"The Desire of Ages," pages 758-764; "The Great Controversy,"

chapter 42; "The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary," on lesson scrip-

tures; Lesson Help in "Review and Herald" of March 10.

[42

]

DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD

Check Here

Sabbath afternoon: Introduction;

Check Here

Wednesday: Read further from

general survey.

❑

Study Helps.

❑

Sunday: Questions 1-5.

❑

Thursday: Finish reading from Study

Monday: Questions 6-10.

❑

Helps.

❑

Tuesday: Questions 11-13; begin

Friday: Review entire lesson.

❑

reading from Study Helps.

Lesson Outline:

Introduction

I. The End of Iniquity

The author of sin defeated. John

19:30; Matt. 27:50, 51.

A strange work performed. Rev.

20:9, 10.

The oldest prophecy fulfilled. Gen.

3:15.

The originator of iniquity obliter-

ated. Heb. 2:14.

God's justice confessed by all. Rom.

14:11; Rev. 5:13.

II. The Triumph of God's Love

6. The glorified saints are coregents

with Christ. Rev. 20:6.

They inherit the earth. Matt. 5:5.

They shall suffer no more. Rev.

21:4.

They enjoy a new creation. Isa.

11:6-9; 35:1.

10.

They perfectly please God. Isa.

53:11; 65:19.

III. Promise and Invitation

11.

The promise to commandment

keepers. Rev. 22:14.

12.

The invitation to all. Rev. 22:17.

13.

The blessed hope soon to be real-

ized. Rev. 22:20.

THE LESSON

Introduction

"It is finished," cried the Son of God

on the cross. This was a cry of triumph

directed to His Father in heaven, as Jesus

in His last conscious moment again had

the sense of His Father's presence and the

assurance of His approval. Satan's defeat

was accomplished in that moment. Now the

time is imminent when Satan, with all who

have refused Christ, will

destroyed. The

terrible suffering, the supreme sacrifice of

Christ on the cross, would all have been in

vain if the plan of redemption had not

also included the return of Jesus as King

of kings to make an utter end of sin and

to take possession of His kingdom. The

cross made mandatory the second coming.

Then all the righteous will have only the

wounds of Christ to remind them that sin

ever existed. With adoration and thanks-

giving for the redemption He purchased

for them, they will worship Him through-

out eternity.

The End of Iniquity

1. With what crowning event was

the plan of salvation made sure? John

19:30; Matt.

27:50, 51.

NOTE.—"All is terror and confusion. The

priest is about to slay the victim; but the

knife drops from his nerveless hand, and

the lamb escapes. Type has met antitype

in the death of God's Son. The great sacri-

fice has been made. The way into the

holiest is laid open. A new and living way

is prepared for all. No longer need sinful,

sorrowing humanity await the coming of

the high priest. Henceforth the Saviour

was to officiate as priest and advocate in

the heaven of heavens. It was as if a liv-

ing voice had spoken to the worshipers:

There is now an end to all sacrifices and

offerings for sin. The Son of God is come

according to His word, To, I come (in

[ 43 ]

the volume of the Book it is written of Me,)

to do Thy will, 0 God.' By His own blood'

He entereth 'in once into the holy place,

having obtained eternal redemption for us.'

Heb. 10:7;

9:12."—The Desire of Ages,

page 757.

What strange work must God

perform before the universe is restored

to peace? Rev. 20:9, 10. Compare Isa.

28:21.

NoTE.—"God's judgments will be visited

upon those who are seeking to oppress and

destroy His people. His long forbearance

with the wicked emboldens men in trans-

gression, but their punishment is none the

less certain and terrible because it is long

delayed. 'The Lord shall rise up as in

Mount Perazim, He shall be wroth as in

the valley of Gibeon, that He may do His

work, His strange work; and bring to

pass His act, His strange act.' Isa. 28:21.

To our merciful God the act of punish-

ment is a strange act. 'As I live, saith the

Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death

of the wicked.' Ezek. 33:11. The Lord is

`merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and

abundant 'in goodness and truth, . . .

forgiving iniquity and transgression and

sin.' Yet He will `by no means clear the

guilty.' The Lord is slow to anger, and

great in power, and will not at all acquit

the wicked.' Ex. 34:6, 7; Nahum 1:3. By

terrible things in righteousness He will

vindicate the authority of His downtrodden

law. The severity of the retribution await-

ing the transgressor may be judged by the

Lord's reluctance to execute justice. The

nation with which He bears long, and

which He will not smite until it has filled

up the measure of its iniquity in God's ac-

count, will finally drink the cup of wrath

unmixed with mercy."—The

Great Con-

troversy,

page 627.

Of what early prophecy is this

event the fulfillment? Gen. 3:15.

What further sentence is carried

out at this time? Heb. 2:14.

NOTE.—"The whole universe will have

become witnesses to the nature and results

of sin. And its utter extermination, which

in the beginning would have brough

t fear

to angels and dishonor to God, will now

vindicate His love and establish His honor

before the universe of beings who delight

to do His will, and in whose heart is His

law. Never will evil again be manifest.

Says the word of God: 'Affliction shall not

rise up the second time.' Nahum 1:9. The

law of God, which Satan has reproached

as the yoke of bondage, will be honored

as the law of liberty. A tested and proved

creation will never again be turned from

allegiance to Him whose character has been

fully manifested before them as fathomless

love and infinite wisdom."—The

Great Con-

troversy,

page 504.

What will the presence of Jesus

as King of kings force even the wicked

to do? Rom. 14:11; Rev. 5:13.

NoTE.—"Satan sees that his voluntary re-

bellion has unfitted him for heaven. He

has trained his powers to war against God;

the purity, peace, and harmony of heaven

would be to him supreme torture. His

accusations against the mercy and justice

of God are now silenced. The reproach

which he has endeavored to cast upon Je-

hovah rests wholly upon himself. And now

Satan bows down and confesses the justice

of his sentence,.

"'Who shall not fear Thee, 0 Lord, and

glorify Thy name? for Thou only art

holy: for all nations shall come and wor-

ship before Thee; for Thy judgments are

made manifest.' Rev. 15:4. Every ques-

tion of truth and error in the long-standing

controversy has now been made plain. The

results of rebellion, the fruits of setting

aside the divine statutes, have been laid

open to the view of all created intelli-

gences. The working out of Satan's rule in

contrast with the government of God has

been presented to the whole universe. Sa-

tan's own works have condemned him.

God's wisdom, His justice, and His good-

ness stand fully vindicated. It is seen

that all His dealings in the great 'contro-

versy .have been conducted with respect to

the eternal good of His people and the good

of all the worlds that He has created. "All

Thy works shall praise Thee, 0 Lord; and

Thy saints shall bless Thee.' Ps. 145:10.

The history of sin will stand to all eternity

44]

. is

The laboratory oF the universe will Forever continue to •

reveal its vast treasures to the searcher after truth.

as a witness that with the existence of

God's law is bound up the happiness of

all the beings He has created. With all

the facts of the great controversy in view,

the whole universe, both loyal and re-

bellious, with one accord declare: 'Just and

true are Thy ways, Thou King of saints.' "

—The Great Controversy,

page 670.

The Triumph of God's Love

6. While this earth lies waste and

desolate during the millennium, where

will the righteous dwell? Rev. 20:6.

NOTE.—"In consequence of Adam's sin,

death passed upon the whole human race.

All alike go down into the grave. And

through the provisions of the plan of sal-

vation, all are to be brought forth from

their graves. 'There shall be a resurrection

of the dead, both of the just and unjust;'

`for as in Adam all die, even so in Christ

shall all be made alive.' Acts 24:15; 1 Cor.

15:22. But a distinction is made between

the two classes that are brought forth. 'All

that are in the graves shall hear His voice,

and shall come forth ; they that have done

good, unto the resurrection of life; and they

that have done evil, unto the resurrection

of damnation.' John

5:28,

29. They who

have been 'accounted worthy' of the resur-

rection of life are 'blessed and holy' `On

such the second death hath no power.'

Rev. 20:6. But those who have not,

through repentance and faith, secured par-

don, must receive the penalty of trans-

gression—`the wages of sin.' They suffer

punishment varying in duration and in-

tensity, 'according to their works,' but

finally ending in the second death. Since

it is impossible for God, consistently with

His justice and mercy, to save the sinner

in his sins, He deprives him of the exist-

ence which his transgressions have for-

feited and of which be has proved himself

unworthy. Says an inspired writer: 'Yet

a little while, and the wicked shall not be:

yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place,

and it shall not be.' And another declares:

`They shall be as though they had not

been.' Ps. 37:10; Obad. 16. Covered with

infamy, they sink into hopeless, eternal

oblivion."—The

Great Controversy,

pages

544, 545.

For whom will the earth be re-

created? Matt. 5:5.

What assurance is given to God's

faithful followers? Rev. 21:4.

How will even the plants and

animals testify that sin has ended on

the earth? Isa. 11:6-9; 35:1.

NOTE.—"In the Bible the inheritance of

the saved is called 'a country.' Heb. 11:14-

16. There the heavenly Shepherd leads His

flock to fountains of living waters. The

tree of life yields its fruit every month,

and the leaves of the tree are for the service

of the nations. There are ever-flowing

streams, clear as crystal, and beside them

waving trees cast their shadows upon the

paths prepared for the ransomed of the

Lord. There the wide-spreading plains

swell into hills of beauty, and the moun-

tains of God rear their lofty summits. On

those peaceful plains, beside those living

streams, God's people, so long pilgrims and

wanderers, shall find a home.

"My people shall dwell in a peaceable

habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in

quiet resting places.' Violence shall no

more be heard in thy land, wasting nor

destruction within thy borders; but thou

shalt call thy walls Salvation, and thy

. gates Praise.' They shall build houses,

and inhabit them; and they shall plant

vineyards, and eat the fruit of them. They

shall not build, and another inhabit; they

shall not plant, and another eat: . .

Mine elect shall long enjoy the work of

their hands.' Isa. 32:18; 60:18; 65:21, 22."

—The Great Controversy,

page 675.

10.

As the great controversy is fin-

ished, how will God and His Son

Jesus Christ view the results of sal-

vation's plan? Isa. 53:11; 65:19.

NoTE.—"I address the people of God who

today are holding fast their confidence,

who will not depart from the faith once

delivered unto the saints, who stand amid

the moral darkness of these days of cor-

ruption. The word of the Lord to you is:

`I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in

My people.' Can we not here see the pa-

ternal love of God expressed to those who

hold fast to the faith in righteousness?

The closest relationship exists between God

and His people. Not only are we objects

of His sparing mercy, His pardoning love;

we are more than this. The Lord rejoices

over His people. He delights in them. He

is their surety. He will beautify all who

are serving Him with a whole heart with

the spirit of holiness. He clothes them with

righteousness. He loves those who do His

will, who express His image. All who are

true and faithful are conformed to the

image of His Son. In their mouth is found

no guile, for they are without fault before

the throne of

God."—Testimonies to Minis-

ters,

pages 414, 415.

Promise and Invitation

11.

Who will have the privilege of

entering through the gates and a right

to the tree of life? Rev. 22:14.

NoTE.—"He who is the fountain of all

knowledge has stated the condition of our

fitness to enter the heaven of bliss, in the

words, 'Blessed are they that do His com-

mandments, that they may have right to the

tree of life, and may enter in through the

gates into the city.' Obedience to God's

commandments is the price of heaven."—

Ellen G. White,

Child Guidance,

page 224.

12.

In view of all that we have

studied about the "blessed hope," what

gracious invitation is to be extended?

Rev. 22:17.

NoTE.—"Not upon the ordained minister

only rests the responsibility of going forth

to fulfill this commission. Everyone who

has received Christ is called to work for

the salvation of his fellow men. 'The

Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let

him that heareth say, Come.' Rev. 22:17.

The charge to give this invitation includes

the entire church. Everyone who has heard

the invitation is to echo the message from

hill and valley, saying, `Come"

'—The Acts

of the Apostles,

page 110.

13.

Just before the final benedic-

tion of the Bible, in what words does

our Saviour reaffirm the surety and

imminence of His second coming?

Rev. 22:20.

NOTE.—The coming of our Lord in glory

has been the blessed hope of the church in

all ages.

" 'The thoughts of the coming of the

Lord,' said Baxter, 'are most sweet and

joyful to me.'—Richard Baxter,

Works,

vol.

17, p. 555. 'It is the work of faith and

the character of His saints to love His ap-

pearing and to look for that blessed hope.'

`If death be the last enemy to be destroyed

at the resurrection, we may learn how

earnestly believers should long and pray

for the second coming of Christ, when this

full and final conquest shall be made.'

—Ibid., vol.

17, p. 500. 'This is the day

that all believers should long, and hope, and

wait for, as being the accomplishment of all

the work of their redemption, and all the

desires and endeavors of their souls.'

`Hasten, 0 Lord, this blessed

day!'—Ibid.,

vol.

17, pp. 182, 183. Such was the hope

of the apostolic church, of the 'church in

the wilderness,' and of the Reformers."—

The Great Controversy,

pages 303, 304.

As members of the remnant church may

we ever keep this hope burning brightly

within our hearts.

146 ]

THIRTEENTH SABBATH OFFERING

March 26, 1960

This quarter the Thirteenth Sabbath Offering overflow is destined for the

Northern European Division. Three projects are to share in this offering.

Great are the opportunities with the printed page in Finland, but the work is

crippled for the lack of a press. A publishing house is urgently needed for

this part of the world field where our believers have been so zealous in their

work for the Lord. A second project is the providing of an evangelistic train-

ing center where workers may be trained to lead out in the work of soul win-

ning in West Africa. The third project is the establishing of an industrial

unit for our Ethiopian Training School where students may help earn their

way through school. All of these projects present a challenge to us in mission

advancement.

LESSONS FOR THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1960

Sabbath school members who have failed to receive a senior

Lesson Quarterly

for the

second quarter of 1960 will be helped by the following outline in studying the first lesson.

The subject of the quarter's lessons is "Lessons for Today From the Times of Ezra and

Nehemiah." The title of the first lesson is "The Divine Purpose in the Captivity." The Mem-

ory Verse is Romans 15:4. The texts to be studied are:

Ques. 1. Rom. 15:4.

Ques. 2. Ex. 19:5, 6.

Ques. 3. 2 Kings 17:7-12, 14-19;

Isa. 1:1-4.

Ques. 4. Hosea 11:8; Ezek. 33:11.

Ques. 5. Jer. 29:11-13.

Ques. 6. Jer. 30:11.

Ques. 7. Jer. 31:18, 19.

Ques. 8. Ezek. 22:15.

Ques. 9. Ezek. 33:33; Deut. 18:21, 22.

Ques. 10. Ezek. 36:24-31.

Ques. 11. Jer. 12:14-17.

Ques. 12. Dan. 2:47; 3:28, 29; 6:25-27.

Ques. 13. Ezek. 36:19, 20.

Ques. 14. James 2:7.

NORTHERN EUROPEAN DIVISION

Population

Churches

Ch. Mem.

S.S. Mem.

British U. C.

53,116,816

110

8,724

7,711

Ethiopian U. M.

15,000,000

2,700

3,957

Finland U. C.

4,000,000

4,956

4,909

Netherlands U. C.

10,500,000

2,610

2,698

Polish U. C.

30,000,000

3,302

3,851

Swedish U. C.

7,500,000

3,827

3,642

West African U. M.

47,300,000

171

20,736

57,679

West Nordic U. C.

7,584,426

140

8,835

7,921

Detached Fields

Greenland M.

37,368

5 5

Iceland C.

160,000

372

542

TOTALS

175,198,610

666

56,067

92,915

[ 47 ]

Evangelistic Training Center

West Africa

Industrial Building, Ethiopian

Training School .r

THIRTEENTH SABBATH OFFERING

Northern European Division Projects

Three outstanding needs in the Northern European Division will

receive the benefits of the Thirteenth Sabbath offering overflow.

They are:

The publishing house in Finland. 2. The evangelistic

training center in West Africa. 3. The erection

of a new industrial

building at the Ethiopian Training School.